Senate Chairman Farooq Naek said on Friday that Pakistan greatly values its relations with Sri Lanka, based on mutual trust and shared interests in maintaining regional peace, security and stability.. He was talking to the visiting External Affairs Minister of Sri Lanka, Professor G L Peiris, who called on him at the Parliament House.
The Senate Chairman said that Pakistan fully supports the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. "Our two countries enjoy commonality of views on regional and international issues and co-ordinate their positions at the United Nations and Saarc," he added.
He said that Pakistan is against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations as the country is also victim of terrorism. He said, "We lost our great leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto at the hands of terrorists. We have lost thousands of innocent civilians and valiant personnel of the armed forces. Terrorism has badly affected our economy and day to day life."
He expressed happiness that Sri Lanka government has been able to defeat terrorism. He said that rehabilitation of the victims of violence and unrest is an issue, but he is confident that will be managed successfully. He underscored the need for enhanced exchange of parliamentary delegations between the two countries to promote people-to-people contacts. Such visits will help promote greater co-operation between the two Parliaments, he said.
Naek also appreciated the establishment of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentarians Friendship Association. Professor Peiris thanked the Senate Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and senators for warm welcome and hospitality extended to him. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chairman of Senate Muhammad Khan Jamali and Senator Wasim Sajjad.
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