Pakistan Speaker’s visit to strengthen mutual relations

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Sardar Ayaz Sadiq will make an official visit to Sri Lanka on Friday with the intention of further strengthening mutual relations between the Pakistan and Sri Lankan Parliaments.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody, who called on the Pakistani Speaker on the sidelines of the sixth Asian Parliamentary Assembly (APA) held in Islamabad, Pakistan from December 8 to 11, had conveyed Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa’s invitation made to the Pakistani Speaker to visit Sri Lanka.

During the discussion, Speaker Sadiq, who was very impressed by the significant developments achieved by Sri Lanka after the end of three decades of terrorism, stressed the importance of further strengthening the cordial relations between the two parliaments. He was of the view that the strengthened relationship would help Pakistan achieve many tangible benefits, the Deputy Speaker told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

The discussions were also centered on implementing exchange programs through the Friendship Associations of the two Parliaments and further developing the mutual friendship and goodwill between the two Parliaments, he said. Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Weerakkody had also met Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the sidelines of the APA.

The Pakistan Premier has also commended the development and reconciliation efforts and lasting peace restored in Sri Lanka after the eradication of terrorism.

He has also sought Sri Lanka’s expertise to eradicate terrorism in Pakistan.