Pakistan PM’s address to p’ment scrapped

• Address scheduled for 24 Feb. scrapped over COVID-19 fears
• Two Pakistan presidents have addressed SL Parliament in the past

A planned address to Parliament by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been scrapped over COVID- 19 concerns, parliament sources said.

Khan who is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on 22 February on a two-day visit was to address Parliament on the 24 February.

Two Pakistani leaders have addressed the Sri Lankan Parliament in the past.

Pakistan’s President Field Marshal Mohamed Ayub Khan addressed the Sri Lankan Parliament on 9 December 1963, and President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto did the same on 16 December 1975.

President General Zia-ul-Haq visited Parliament while on an official visit to Sri Lanka in December 1985 but did not address the House. (CK)