Pak PM says immense potential to boost economic ties with Lanka

The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Jayalath Weerakkody called on Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf at PM’s House here this morning and thanked the government of Pakistan for its support on a resolution on Human Rights in UN.

He also deeply acknowledged the support extended by Pakistan in Sri Lanka’s fight against militancy.

The Prime Minister said that Sri Lanka is a true friend and the personal efforts of the High Commissioner had further cemented the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Prime Minister assured the High Commissioner of Pakistan’s continuous support to Sri Lanka in its development pursuits. He termed the relations between the two countries as ‘historic’ which had been strengthening during the diplomatic history of the two countries.

The High Commissioner said that Sri Lanka was looking forward to the upcoming visit of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, in the first week of August, 2012.

The Prime Minister hoped that with the visit of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, the bilateral relations would get a new boost.

The Prime Minister noted that the trade volume between the two countries which is approximately US$ 400 million, needed to be enhanced. Both countries have the potential for more trade, the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the need for people-to-people, institution-to-institution and government- to-government exchanges between the two countries.

The Sri Lankan Ambassador also invited the Prime Minister of Pakistan to visit Sri Lanka.

The Prime Minister said that he would visit Sri Lanka at an early date.

The Prime Minister asked the High Commissioner to convey the assurance of his highest considerations to the leadership of Sri Lanka.