Pakistan FM concludes two-day visit here

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, visited Sri Lanka, for two days, on 3-4 February, 2023, to attend the 75th Independence Day celebrations of Sri Lanka, on the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka.Ministers from Bangladesh, Nepal, the Maldives, India, Japan, and Bhutan also attended the event.

In addition to attending the cultural event and Independence Day ceremony, the Pakistan Minister of State also called on the President, the Prime Minister, and the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka. Bilateral meetings, between the Minister of State and the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, also took place on the sidelines.

The visiting Minister of State also called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and felicitated him on the 75th Independence Day of the country. Congratulating him on assuming the office of the President, she hoped that the country will progress, and prosper, under his able leadership. She reiterated Pakistan’s full support for the government, and the people of Sri Lanka, during these difficult times. The President reciprocated the warm wishes and underscored that her participation in the Sri Lankan celebrations was reflective of the brotherly relations between the two countries.

In her meeting with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the Minister of State appreciated the warm hospitality and excellent arrangements made for the celebrations of Independence Day. Issues of mutual interest, relating to bilateral cooperation, were discussed during the meeting. The Minister of State emphasized the importance of high-level visits from both sides to continue providing impetus to the growth of bilateral ties.

During the meeting with Foreign Minister, Ali Sabry, the Minister of State thanked him for the invitation to participate in the Independence Day celebrations. The two Ministers discussed a range of bilateral issues, including cooperation in defence, education, health, trade and investment, and people-to-people contacts. They also expressed satisfaction over the trajectory of cordial relations between the two friendly countries and resolved to take measures to further consolidate existing collaboration in various fields.

During the visit, the Minister of State also held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, and the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Shunsuke Takei, who were also attending the Independence Day celebrations of Sri Lanka.