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Pak-Sri Lanka ties based on mutual trust, respect: Envoy
APPISLAMABAD – Pakistan's acting High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Dr Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra on Monday said that the brotherly and time-tested relationship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka firmly stood on the pillars of mutual trust and respect, and the desire to promote friendship.
He was speaking at the flag hoisting ceremony at Pakistan's High Commission in Colombo marking Pakistan Day celebrations, said a message received here from Sri Lanka. Dr Sipra said that Pakistan was actively engaged with all neighbouring countries in an effort to create a peaceful neighbourhood and at the same time intensifying economic engagement with all friendly countries.
He said that both Pakistan and Sri Lanka had intensified political engagement and undertaken substantive measures to further deepen and broaden their economic relationship including refining the Free Trade Agreement, expanding the portfolio of tradeable items and encouraging bilateral investment. “This relationship is independent of any compulsions. High level visits, exchanges and multiple institutionalized mechanisms continuously provide renewed vigour to propel and expand the relationship to newer heights,” he said.
The envoy highlighted that Pakistan was engaged in Sri Lanka's social sector development. Some of the projects being sponsored included construction of schools, clean drinking water supply projects, livelihood generation, setting up computer training centers, upgrading hospitals in rural areas and providing scholarships to needy children. The Acting High Commissioner said that Pakistan had rendered unconditional support to Sri Lankan armed forces in the form of military hardware and training to eliminate terrorism. The substantive defence cooperation between the two countries continued in various areas.
Pakistan was the biggest training provider to Sri Lankan armed and civilian forces, he said. He reiterated that Pakistan would never forget the refueling facilities provided by the great nation of Sri Lanka in 1971 despite strong displeasure from some mighty quarters. The High Commissioner also conveyed warm regards and best wishes from the government and people of Pakistan to the government and people of Sri Lanka. A large number of participants from various walks of life including members of the Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship Association, Pakistan Sri Lanka Business Council, prominent Sri Lankan personalities and the Pakistani community based in Sri Lanka attended the flag hoisting ceremony.
The messages of the president and the prime minister were also read out to the participants. The High Commission was to host a reception in the evening in connection with the Pakistan Day.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk