Royal couple may skip Pakistan visit over Kashmir tensions

Prince William and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton’s visit to Pakistan may be cancelled as tensions between Pakistan and India continue to soar over occupied Kashmir.

A statement issued by Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said that the couple may be forced to give up their visit in light of the security conditions emerging after India’s Narendra Modi revoked article 370 from occupied Kashmir.

In June this year, the British royal family shared that the couple will be visiting Pakistan this year.

The news was shared on their Twitter and Instagram accounts.

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will undertake an official visit to Pakistan at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,” a statement from the palace had read. “The visit will take place in the autumn.”

High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Mohammad Nafees Zakaria had also warmly welcomed the royal tweet.

He replied with, “Upcoming Royal visit reflects the importance UK attaches to Pakistan. Both countries enjoy historical links and wish to strengthen further.”

The order, issued on August 5, came from the Indian governing party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which promised earlier this year during an electoral campaign to revoke the privileged status of the region.

Ahead of the announcement of this move people living in the Indian side of Kashmir saw their communication with the rest of the country cut off, as India pulled the plug on telephone networks and the internet.