King Charles’s 78th Birthday Marked in IslamabadPakistan

Other participants included business leaders, British-Pakistani designers and members of the creative community.

The event, which was sponsored by Atlas and Gerry’s, saw fashion trends from British manufacturers and music bands showcasing their skills. The participants enjoyed British songs with Pakistani fusion. UK chef Tony Tobin curated a menu combining British and Pakistani cuisine.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and Britain need a stronger economic partnership to match their deepening friendship. He offered his congratulations to the king and other members of the royal family, and said relations between the two countries had grown stronger and friendlier over time.

King Charles, who was born on 14 November 1948, turned 78 on Saturday. His actual birthday falls in November, while the official birthday celebration, marked by the Trooping the Colour parade, takes place in June.

The UK holds the second-largest Pakistani diaspora in the world, with nearly two million people of Pakistani origin living in the country.

The UK is also Pakistan’s fourth-largest bilateral trading partner and its second-largest source of foreign direct investment.

The reception was one of several events held by British missions around the world to mark the king’s birthday, with the Islamabad event bringing together government officials, business leaders and members of the creative community to celebrate the relationship between the two countries.

The birthday also coincides with the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust, the charity founded by Charles in 1976 when he was Prince of Wales. The Trust supports young people aged 11 to 30, helping them gain confidence, find employment and establish their own businesses, and its network has supported almost 1.5 million young people worldwide. To mark the anniversary, the King joined musician Elton John for a special edition of his Rocket Hour programme on Apple Music, scheduled to air on 14 November, the King’s 78th birthday.

Britain is home to one of the largest Pakistani communities outside Pakistan, and the relationship between the two countries spans trade, education, defence and development cooperation. The British High Commission in Islamabad regularly hosts events marking royal occasions, which are attended by senior government officials and members of the business and cultural communities.