Prince William and Kate Middleton are going to Pakistan. Even the British are asking why

British media reports of the royal couple following in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana and Prince Charles to visit the South Asian country have highlighted security risks

But excitement is building in Pakistan, with observers saying it underscores the importance of bilateral ties

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Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge. Photo: EPA

Published: 4:30pm, 7 Jul 2019Updated: 4:45pm, 7 Jul 2019

Excitement is building in Pakistan ahead of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s arrival in the South Asian country this autumn, but one question most observers have is what arrangements Britain will make to protect the royal couple.

Britain’s Foreign Office has a warning on its website advising against travel to multiple areas in Pakistan, noting threats such as “terrorism, kidnapping and sectarian violence throughout the country, including the cities of Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi”.

“Foreigners, in particular Westerners, may be directly targeted,” the advisory says, highlighting recent terror attacks in May, such as armed militants storming a hotel in Balochistan and a bomb explosion in central Lahore.

British media highlighted the security fears in coverage of Kensington Palace’s announcement last Saturday, as they pointed out that this would be the royal family’s first visit to Pakistan in 13 years, following in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth and William’s parents, Princess Diana and Prince Charles.

No further details were released but media reports said the couple’s three children would not accompany them on the trip.

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Britain, Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, described the announcement as “exciting news”, saying it reflected the importance Britain attaches to Pakistan.

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