ISLAMABAD: Top Pakistani leaders on Thursday expressed sorrow over the passing of Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, who died at her Scottish home aged 96.

Queen Elizabeth, Britain’s figurehead and a towering presence on the world stage for seven decades, died on Thursday hours after doctors said she was under medical supervision, prompting her family to rush to Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Thousands gathered outside Buckingham Palace, in central London, and there was a stunned silence when the flag was lowered to half-mast.

The crowd surged to the gates as the notice announcing the death of the only monarch most Britons have ever known was attached to the black iron gates.

Pakistan’s prime minister, president and the foreign minister were among several world leaders who paid their respects as Britain plunged into mourning over the Queen’s death.

“Deeply grieved at the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Pakistan joins the UK & other Commonwealth nations in mourning her death,” PM Shehbaz Sharif said on Twitter.

“My heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family, people & government of the UK.”

In a statement, President Arif Alvi conveyed his sincere condolences to the royal family, the government and the people of the United Kingdom on the sad demise of Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen Elizabeth took over the reins of power in 1953 after the death of her father, King George VI, when she was only 25. She ruled Britain for over 70 years.

The Queen visited Pakistan as Head of the Commonwealth in 1961, waving to crowds as she rode in a convertible through the streets of Karachi. During her second visit in 1997, she addressed a joint sitting of Pakistan’s parliament in 1997 and spoke at a banquet hosted by former president Farooq Leghari.

Pakistan remained a dominion within the Commonwealth of Nations until 1956 even after securing independence from the British rule about a decade ago. The Queen’s constitutional role was delegated to the governor-general during the initial years after the birth of the country.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also said he was “deeply saddened” at the loss of “one the most iconic figures of our times.”

“Queen Elizabeth II personified an era & embodied hope & compassion,” he said on Twitter. “At this time of grief, our thoughts & prayers go out to people & govt. of UK and @RoyalFamily.”