C'wealth will be stronger, more cohesive under Mahinda Rajapaksa's leadership - Pakistan Premier

The Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has congratulated the Government and people of Sri Lanka for hosting the important Commonwealth Summit in the beautiful country.

In his message on the occasion of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, he expressed confidence in the astute leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and said the Commonwealth will become a stronger and more cohesive organisation under his leadership.

Sharif was in Colombo to represent Pakistan at the Commonwealth Summit. His delegation includes Begum Kulsoom Nawaz Sharif, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Syed Tariq Fatemi, Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecom Anusha Rahman Ahmad Khan and Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbasi Jilani.

Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan, being a democracy and a responsible member of the global community, subscribes to the work of the Commonwealth for promoting peace through international cooperation and poverty alleviation through sustainable economic and social development.

The theme of this year's Summit 'Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development', is therefore, highly relevant, he said.

Sharif fondly recalled representing Pakistan at the Harare Summit in 1991, where the landmark declaration was adopted, setting out the core principles and values of the Commonwealth. Known as the Harare Principles, these values and principles encompassing democracy, freedom, peace, the rule of law, respect for human rights and opportunity for all, serve as a binding force among its Member States, he said.

Pakistan is one of the eight founding members of the Commonwealth, which signed the London Declaration of April 1949. Pakistan makes annual contributions to five heads of the Commonwealth - Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Foundation, Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation, Commonwealth Youth Programme and the Commonwealth of Learning.