Commodore Jawad Khawaja Represented Pakistan at the Military State

USPA NEWS - Commodore Jawad Khawaja Represented Pakistan at the Military State Funeral of Field Marshal Lord Guthrie in London

 A solemn state funeral was held at Westminster Cathedral, London, on 15 October 2025, to honour Field Marshal Lord Charles Llewellyn Guthrie, one of Britain’s most distinguished and respected military commanders. The ceremony brought together senior members of the British royal family, political leaders, international dignitaries, and top-ranking officers from across the armed forces, said Shazada Hayat President UICF (UK) and international community welfare campaigner.

Lord Guthrie, a former Chief of the General Staff (1994–1997) and later Chief of the Defence Staff (1997–2001), served the nation with exceptional distinction. Elevated to the rank of Field Marshal in 1997 by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and later ennobled as a life peer in 2001 for his service to Crown and Country, he was widely regarded as one of the most powerful and influential British military leaders of the modern era.

Throughout his illustrious career, Field Marshal Lord Guthrie was a trusted adviser to Queen Elizabeth II, who often sought his counsel on matters of national and global security. His wisdom, experience, and integrity earned him deep admiration from successive British Prime Ministers, Foreign Secretaries, and Defence Ministers, said Shazada Hayat.
Among the distinguished mourners were members of the Royal Family, His Majesty King Charles III’s Household Cavalry commanders, serving and former Army Chiefs of Staff, Royal Navy Admirals, Air Marshals, senior government ministers, diplomats, and prominent community and religious leaders.

The Cathedral’s proximity to Buckingham Palace, the Ministry of Defence, and the UK Parliament underscored the national importance of the ceremony. Representing Pakistan, Commodore Jawad Khawaja Pakistan’s senior naval officer and military adviser in the UK, attended the funeral as the only international military attaché. Commodore Jawad Khawaja was accompanied with a floral wreath on behalf of Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, conveying Pakistan’s heartfelt condolences to the British people and the British armed forces.

In his tribute, Commodore Khawaja said, “Pakistan and Britain share a long-standing and special historic bond.

Field Marshal Lord Guthrie was a great friend of Pakistan’s military leadership and played a key role during periods of regional hostilities, particularly in helping to de-escalate hostilities between India and Pakistan during the 2001–2002 military standoff. Lord Guthrie was not only a formidable commander but also a strong advocate for peaceful dialogue and mediation over warfare.”

Shazada Hayat went on to say, The attendance of Pakistan’s military representative held special significance for Britain’s overseas Pakistani community, many of whom view the UK as their homeland and Pakistan as their ancestral motherland. The participation of Commodore Jawad Khawaja at this historic occasion reflects the enduring friendship between Britain and Pakistan. As the Cathedral bells tolled, Britain bid farewell to a soldier-statesman whose legacy of leadership, loyalty, and diplomacy will long be remembered.   (Unpaid Collaboration) "Published as received"