ISLAMABAD: President Fazal Elahi Chaudhry today [April 3] expressed heartfelt sympathies and condolences on the passing away of President Georges Pompidou and said that “in his death we mourn the loss of an outstanding leader of France, a distinguished world statesman and a sympathetic friend of Pakistan”. In a condolence message to the Interim President of France, Mr Alain Poher, the President … said: “I extend to you on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan and myself our heartfelt sympathies. … His wisdom and understanding of the problems and aspirations of the Third World enabled him to make a lasting contribution towards the establishment of a just and equitable world order. His passing away will be mourned all over the world.”

[Meanwhile], British Prime Minister Harold Wilson was “very distressed” to hear of Mr Pompidou’s death. He was sending personal messages of condolences to Madame Pompidou and the French Prime Minister. Former Prime Minister Edward Heath said the death was a great loss to Anglo-French friendship and Europe. West German Chancellor Willy Brandt praised Mr Pompidou as a statesman who has contributed to the unification of Europe. — News agencies

Published in Dawn, April 4th, 2024