ISLAMABAD (DNA) – Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Tuesday termed the visit of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, to Pakistan of historic importance.

In a statement, the foreign minister said that this tour will represent Pakistan’s positive and peaceful image before the international community and hoped that the relations between Islamabad and United Kingdom (UK) will further strengthen.

Pakistan is making sincere efforts to establish peace in the region, he added.

Earlier, a plane carrying the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton landed at Nur Khan Airbase on a five-day royal tour from October 14 to 18.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, British High Commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew and other high level officials accorded a warm welcome to the British Royal couple upon their arrival.

The sources said that Prince William and Kate Middleton will meet Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi today to discuss matters of mutual interests.

The visit comes 13 years after Charles and Camilla – the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwell – toured the country in 2006. Pakistan still vividly remembers the late Princess Diana’s visit in 1996.