3 February 2011 05:48 am
Pakistan has extended its support to Sri Lanka to defeat terrorism and stressed the need for joint cooperation to counter this menace. The Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan Air Chief Marshall Jayalath Weerakkody, has said that Sri Lanka has embarked on a strategic partnership with Pakistan and would benefit from the immense economic potential in Pakistan for mutual advantage of both the nations.
He said that the government wants to take Pak-Sri Lankan relationship to “new heights”, encompassing a multi-sectoral engagement. He said this in a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Dr. Fehmida Mirza, this morning.
Talking to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner, Madam Speaker said that Pakistan greatly valued its close relationship withSri Lanka and said both countries always stood by each other in turbulent times and shared commonality of views on regional issues. She said that Pakistan acknowledges the Sri Lankan government’s efforts to defeat terrorism, and stressed the need for joint cooperation to counter this menace.
She said that Pakistan always supported the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka and assured that despite its own economic difficulties, Pakistan would continue to contribute towards the socio-economic development of Sri Lanka.
The Speaker said that Sri Lanka being an important member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association should play her role to reinvigorate the CPA Asia Branch. She said that she would discuss the issue with her Sri Lankan Counterpart during her forthcoming visit to Sri Lanka.
The Speaker also appreciated Sri Lanka’s timely assistance to Pakistan in the wake of the recent catastrophic floods in the country. Madam Speaker emphasized the need to activate the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group to facilitate bilateral interaction between parliamentarians of both the countries.
She informed the High Commissioner that Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services had been established which would initiate seminars and capacity building courses to enhance the capacity of Parliamentarians and Parliamentary staff. She said that regional countries could also benefit from the capacity building, research and I.T facilities at the Institute.
Air Chief Marshall Jayalath Weerakkody apprised the Speaker about the recent visit of Sri Lankan Speaker to Pakistan. He said that the delegation was delighted to see the immense development in Pakistan and carried back greater understanding of the depth of challenges confronting Pakistan.
Source: Pakistan Observer