บท 173: Persian diplomats

Pakistan sultanate, Lahore Fort, afternoon of 29th March 1557.

The grand hall of Lahore Fort was bright with sunlight streaming through the windows. It was the first official court session of the Pakistan Sultanate, and its young Badshah Afzal sat on his throne for the first time. Courtiers, ministers, and nobles had gathered, eagerly awaiting the start of this important meeting. Beside him Bairam khan stood as his wazir and regent.

The tension in the air was palpable: news of Afzal's ascension to power had already spread across the Pakistan region, and now, foreign eyes were upon him as well. At the far end of the hall, a delegation from Persia stood in silence, awaiting their turn to enter.