Prince Charles switches Pak plans amid unrest

Mass protests are expected in Peshawar and other cities against one of Pakistan's biggest ever airstrikes, a missile raid on Monday which destroyed a religious school and killed 80 people.

The British High Commission (embassy) gave details of the new venues early on Tuesday but asked that they be kept under wraps for security reasons until after the visits.

"The Prince's visit to Peshawar is cancelled on the advice of the Pakistan government," high commission spokesman Aidan Liddle said.

The rest of the royal couple's schedule remained unchanged, British officials said.     

Charles had been due to visit a "model" madrassa in Peshawar, in what aides said was one of the focal points of his five-day trip to Pakistan.

The trip to the moderate Markaz-ul-Uloom-ul-Islamia was billed as a way to promote interfaith harmony. He was also due to visit a college set up by Anglicans.

Clarence House, Charles's household, told Britain's domestic Press Association that the couple were "disappointed" not to be going.