At Islamabad reception, Prince William pays tribute to Pakistanis who lost their lives to terror

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, paid tribute on Tuesday to all who "suffered sacrifices and helped build Pakistan in the country it is today."

His comments came during his first official speech delivered during a reception at the Pakistan National Monument in Islamabad, organized by the British High Commissioner in Pakistan, Thomas Drew.

"For such a young country, Pakistan has endured many difficulties, with countless lives lost to terror and hate. Tonight I want to pay tribute to all who have suffered that sacrifice and have helped build the country we see today," he said. William

He acknowledged that for the "great potential of Pakistan" to be realized, it will be necessary to face difficulties and make sacrifices.

William also spoke of the "unique ties" between the two countries and that Pakistan can "trust the United Kingdom to continue to play an important role as a key partner and [a] friend".

"Whether this generation or the next generation, I know that the United Kingdom and Pakistan will continue to be an example of the best in international cooperation," he added.

Emphasizing the importance of educating youth, the Prince said that "it will be the key that will turn the country's growing population into a growth engine and help unlock the enormous potential of this country."

He called for a concerted effort between the two countries to overcome the challenge of climate change. "Whether in Pakistan or the United Kingdom or anywhere else on our planet, we face shared global challenges. The effects of climate change threaten the present and the future," he said.

William warned against rising temperatures that lead to "a loss of more than a third of [Pakistan’s] vital glaciers in less than a century, with enormous impacts not only on water availability, but on agriculture and hydroelectric power generation. "

He said that tomorrow (Wednesday) he, along with his wife Kate Middleton, "will see some of these impacts firsthand and meet with some of the communities that adapt to the new realities and the new challenges that climate change has brought to its cities and towns. " ".

The Prince expressed his hope of "knowing what else we can all do to help prevent and mitigate this impending global catastrophe."

William and Kate arrived at the scene in style in a rickshaw adorned with traditional truck art.

William was seen wearing traditional attire for the first time since his arrival, a teal green sherwani by Nauman Arfeen of Naushemian, while Kate wore an ornate Jenny Packham green dress, according to Daily mail Royal correspondent Rebecca English.

Kate's earrings, gold-plated with uncut crystal stones, belong to the popular London brand O & # 39; nitaa, and came from Pakistan, the correspondent said. They were "custom made especially for the Duchess of Cambridge," he added.

Many prominent personalities attended the event, including the Director General of Inter-Services Public Services, Division General Asif Ghafoor, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Wasim Akram and his wife Shaniera Akram, designer Hassan Sheheryar Yasin of the brand HSY clothing, the cricket player Mohammad Hafeez. , actresses Mahira Khan, Hareem Farooq and Mehwish Hayat, and singer Atif Aslam.

The National Monument was illuminated for reception.

Early in the day, the royal couple met with President Alvi and his wife Samina Arif in the Aiwan-i-Sadr.

After the meeting with the president, the couple visited Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Prime Minister's house, where a lunch was held in his honor.

Part of the day's activities also included a visit to Islamabad Model College for Girls, as well as a trip to Trail 5, Margalla Hills, to attend an event on environmental protection.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had arrived in Pakistan on Monday night. They received a welcome red carpet at Nur Khan air base, where they were received by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his wife Mehriene Qureshi.