KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday received a telephone call from King Charles III of the United Kingdom, who invited the premier to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa in October, a statement from the PM Office said.

According to the Commonwealth’s website, government heads meet every two years for the CHOGM, hosted by different member countries on a rotating basis. The 2022 meeting was held in Rwanda, whereas this year, Samoa will host the event, which will run from October 21-26.

According to a statement issued by the PM Office, Shehbaz Sharif accepted the invitation, saying that the summit would be a “significant moment” in the history of the Commonwealth since this would be the first summit King Charles III would chair since becoming head of the Commonwealth in September 2022.

“Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the Commonwealth and the values enshrined in the Commonwealth Charter,” the statement said.

Premier tells UK envoy Islamabad committed to further enhancing ties

“He said the CHOGM in Samoa would provide a forum to discuss opportunities for enhancing intra-Commonwealth cooperation on a number of important issues, such as fostering sustainable development, strengthening democratic institutions, and empowering Commonwealth youth,” according to the statement.

Noting the king’s longstanding interest in environmental issues and various initiatives for climate sustainability, PM Shehbaz said he particularly looked forward to engaging with Commonwealth leaders on climate change, especially since Pakistan is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

The prime minister also inquired after the king’s health and conveyed his best wishes for the Princess of Wales, who announced earlier this month that she had successfully completed her chemotherapy treatment.

Meeting with Jane Marriott

Separately, in a meeting with British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the UK leadership to strengthen relations between the two countries, while emphasising that their long-standing ties could be further enhanced through cooperation in various areas.

The premier emphasized the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation on trade and investment, climate change, social connectivity, and regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

He stated that millions of Pakistanis residing in Britain served as a vital link between the two countries, playing a key role in enhancing bilateral relations.

The prime minister also extended his best wishes to King Charles III, while the British High Commissioner conveyed good wishes for Pakistan on behalf of the British government.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2024