ISLAMABAD: Pakistan would observe a national day of mourning tomorrow (Monday) on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on September 8 at the age of 96.

“Flag would fly at half-mast tomorrow,” said a notification issued by the government. The foreign affairs had forwarded the suggestion to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who approved it and directed the Cabinet Division to do the arrangements, PTV News reported.

Queen Elizabeth’s death brought an end to the tenure of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. She had been the nation’s figurehead for seven decades.

The Pakistan High Commission in London shared the decision in a tweet.

Elizabeth’s eldest son Charles, 73, became king of the United Kingdom and the head of state of 14 other realms including Australia, Canada and New Zealand. His wife Camilla becomes Queen Consort.

Pakistani leadership had offered their condolences on the demise of the Queen to the Royal, the Government and the people of Great Britain.

President Arif Alvi, in a statement, had said that her departure had left an immense vacuum, difficult to be filled in times to come.

The president said that she ascended the throne at a very young age but showed “maturity, character, determination, and commitment to the highest order” which had made her one of the longest-reigning monarchs in the world.

“Her inspiring leadership qualities propelled her to the status of great and beneficent ruler that would be remembered in golden words in the annals of world history,” it said.

“Deeply grieved at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Pakistan joins the UK & other Commonwealth nations in mourning her death. My heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, people & government of the UK,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a tweet.

“On behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, I convey our most sincere prayers and thoughts to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her early and complete recovery.”

Both the leaders had also visited the British High Commission to offer their condolences.

Christian Turner, the British high commissioner to Pakistan, thanked the country for the condolence messages in a video message.

“We have a profound sense of loss following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. She served the UK and the Commonwealth with dignity, honour and dedication for 70 years,” he said while speaking in Urdu.

“Her Majesty visited Pakistan twice in 1961 and 1997 and last week she sent a message and help the flood victims of Pakistan. Thank you all for messages of condolences,” Turner said.

The high commissioner added that it was an honour for him to serve the Queen and he would continue to do so for King Charles III.