COLOMBO: The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Maj Gen (r) Syed Shakeel Hussain, on Sunday said that economic cooperation coupled with peaceful resolution of disputes would pave the way for a promising future for not just South Asia but also for the entire world.
The high commissioner said this while delivering his message on the occasion of the 69th Independence Day of Pakistan in Colombo.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, who is currently visiting Sri Lanka, was the chief guest on the occasion. The government of 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, the high commissioner said.
He said that historical and cultural links between our people date back to the time when the Indus Valley and Gandhara civilisations prospered, which is now Pakistan.
Both the countries were exploring ways to broaden and deepen the economic ties, through enhancement of trade and bilateral investments, within the framework of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as our top most priority, he added.
The high commissioner highlighted that the visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Sri Lanka in January this year was a testimony to the fact that both the countries attach great importance to this mutually beneficial relationship.
Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, said that Pakistan attached great importance to its relations with Sri Lanka in both bilateral and regional context.
There was a strong desire in Pakistan to further develop and promote the bilateral relationship between the two friendly countries, Justice Jamali said.
He commended the government of Sri Lanka for taking admirable initiatives to promote interfaith harmony, reconciliation and national unity between all the segments of society.
The high commissioner also hoisted the national flag of Pakistan and jointly cut Independence Day cake along with the chief guest and children. Later, the messages of the president and prime minister of Pakistan were read out to the participants.
The flag hoisting ceremony was attended by a large number of participants from various walks of life including members of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Friendship Trade and Investment Association, Pakistan-Sri Lanka Business Council, prominent Sri Lankan personalities, Pakistani community and officials of the Pakistani High Commission in Sri Lanka.
