British Prince tours Pakistan's religious sites

Lahore (Pakistan), Nov 3: Britain's Prince Charles today visited religious sites of Muslims, Christians and Sikhs in Pakistan and met with their community leaders as part of efforts to promote inter-faith harmony.

Donning a white cap and accompanied by his wife Camilla, Charles went round Gurdwara Dera Sahib, a Sikh temple in the eastern city of Lahore after seeing the nearby Badshahi Mosque.

The royal couple later visited the historical Cathederal Church of Resurrection, built in 1887.

Charles then met with 11 religious leaders of Muslims, Christians and Sikhs at Governor House.

''The Prince is interested in the role of religion in public life and how people live together in different communities,'' a British diplomat said after a closed door meeting.

Promoting inter-faith harmony is one of the specific themes of the Charles's Pakistan trip and during a visit to a women's university in the city of Rawalpindi today, he preached religious tolerance and spoke against literal interpretations of religious texts that provoked conflict.

Extraordinary security arrangements were in place during the royal couple's visit to Lahore. A trip to northern Pakistan's Peshawar city was cancelled because of security concerns.

Police and paramilitary security forces, some in riot gear, were posted around the tour venues in Lahore, restricting opportunities for the public to meet the future British king and his second wife.

At the cathedral, school children in the traditional dress of all four of Pakistan's provinces at the cathedral were excited to find the prince and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall in their midst.

''The Duchess told me you are looking beautiful and I returned the compliment saying you are beautiful,'' said Anum Aslam, 12-year-old student of the cathedral's school.

However, many in Lahore still remember the visit of late Lady Diana to their city in 1996 for fund raising for a cancer hospital run by Pakistan cricket great Imran Khan.

''There was much more excitement when Princess of Wales Diana visited than it is for Camilla,'' said Monica Hassan, a housewife.

Reuters