King Charles III of the United Kingdom extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to attend the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa this October. The invitation was conveyed during a telephone conversation on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif graciously accepted the invitation from King Charles, highlighting the importance of the CHOGM in Samoa as a historic event. This summit will be the first to be chaired by King Charles III since he assumed the role of Head of the Commonwealth. According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif emphasized that the meeting would be a pivotal moment for the Commonwealth, offering a platform to discuss and enhance cooperation among member states.
During the conversation, Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the Commonwealth and the principles outlined in the Commonwealth Charter. He expressed optimism that the CHOGM would facilitate discussions on key issues, including sustainable development, the strengthening of democratic institutions, and the empowerment of youth within the Commonwealth.
Acknowledging King Charles’s long-standing dedication to environmental issues and climate sustainability, Prime Minister Sharif expressed his eagerness to engage with Commonwealth leaders on climate change. He underscored Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate impacts and the importance of collaborative efforts to address these challenges.
In a personal exchange, Prime Minister Sharif inquired about the King’s health and extended his best wishes to the Princess of Wales following her successful treatment. He also fondly recalled King Charles’s last visit to Pakistan as the Prince of Wales and expressed hope for a future visit by the King and Queen to Pakistan.