Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Major General Syed Shakeel Hussain on Wednesday said that Pakistan and Sri Lanka would take substantive measures to further broaden their economic and political relationship. The High Commissioner said this in a ceremony held at High Commission of Pakistan in Colombo to mark the 76th National Day of Pakistan. The event was celebrated by the High Commission and the Pakistani community with resolve to make Pakistan a strong, vibrant, progressive and democratic Islamic welfare state, said a message.
Mr Hussain hoisted the national flag as the national anthem being played. Later, the messages of the President and Prime Minister were read out by the Deputy High Commissioner Dr Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra to the participants. On Pakistan-Sri Lanka economic relations, he said that the two sides were in process of refining the Free Trade Agreement for expanding their trade and encouraging bilateral investment. He said that the recently concluded Pakistan Single country Exhibition in Colombo has contributed in promoting Pakistan-Sri Lanka economic relations by diversifying the existing trade patterns.
The envoy expressed satisfaction on the traditionally close and mutually beneficial relationship in all fields. He noted that Pakistan was engaged in Sri Lanka's social sector development process. Some of the projects are being sponsored included construction of schools, hospitals, houses for IDPs, clean drinking water supply projects and education.
He said that Pakistan was actively engaged with all neighbouring countries in an effort to create a peaceful neighbourhood, at the same time intensifying economic engagement with all friendly countries. The ceremony was attended by the members of Sri Lanka Pakistan Business Council, Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship trade and investment Association, Government functionaries, Ambassadors, prominent personalities, Pakistani community and media.