Pakistan HC meets PM

The High Commissioner of Pakistan, Maj. Gen. (Retd) Muhammad Saad Khattak met with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa recently at the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the meeting, a detailed discussion was held on bilateral cooperation, including economic cooperation, trade, educational cooperation and sports diplomacy, with a special focus on promoting cultural heritage and religious tourism between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The High Commissioner apprised the Prime Minister regarding the various initiatives undertaken by Government of Pakistan to promote religious tourism, especially the recent high-level visit of the Most Venerable Buddhist Monks visit and the production of a documentary in collaboration with Sri Lankan film producer to highlight the grandeur of Gandhara heritage in Pakistan. Further, the Prime Minister was briefed on the higher education opportunities available to Sri Lankan students under the recently announced round of Allama Iqbal Scholarships, offered by the Government of Pakistan across all fields of study.

The High Commissioner emphasized the importance of enhanced collaboration between the two brotherly countries for the uplift of our people. He further said that Pakistan is committed to providing continued support to Sri Lanka. Both sides agreed to strengthening bilateral cooperation in various fields between the two friendly countries, with special focus on promoting religious tourism and to enhance people-to-people contact.

Ajith Nivard Cabraal, State Minister of Money & Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms, Mr. Tanvir Ahmad, Deputy High Commissioner, Ven. Agrahera Kassapa Thero and Koushalya Wickramasinghe, Director Film & Documentary, were also present at the meeting.