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Message from Her Excellency High Commissioner of Pakistan

It gives me great pleasure to convey greetings and best wishes of the government and people of Pakistan to the government and friendly people of Sri Lanka on the occasion of the visit of the Honourable President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr. Asif Ali Zardari to Sri Lanka.

This is a very special and significant occasion in the history of bilateral relationship between the two brotherly countries. The visit of the Honourable President of Pakistan is taking place at a time when His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken oath for a second term as the President of the Socialist Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka. The overwhelming majority, with which the Honourable President has won the previous presidential elections, displays the trust and confidence of the Sri Lanka public in the leadership of the His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The links between our two peoples and cultures date back 2500 years, to the time when the Indus and Gandhara civilizations and Buddhist culture had prospered in what is now Pakistan. Both countries have made impressive efforts to preserve and build on these solid foundations.

It is a matter of great satisfaction that Pakistan and Sri Lanka continue to maintain their traditionally close and mutually beneficial relations in all fields. The process of bilateral cooperation has been greatly assisted by increased interaction both at the level of the people and the highest government functionaries of the two countries.

The volume of trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has registered impressive gains since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement in 2005.

Our bilateral relations can, under the overarching umbrella of SAARC, help promote a brighter and integrated future for all the peoples of South Asia.

We rejoice at the fact that the relationship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan is one of choice and not compulsion. It can serve as a shining example of cooperation at the bilateral, regional and international level.

With the continued commitment of the political leadership to usher in an era of peace prosperity stability and progress in all parts of Sri Lanka, the dawn of a promising future is not far. The people and government of Pakistan stand by the government and people of Sri Lanka in their march towards their rightful future of progress and prosperity.

Availing of this opportunity, I wish to extend to the people of Sri Lanka, its leadership and the government of H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa, continued progress, prosperity and peace in the years ahead.

Mrs. Seema Illahi Baloch

Message from President of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Association

As the President of the Sri Lanka - Pakistan parliamentary Friendship Association, I am, indeed, greatly privileged to issue this message to welcome the state visit of His Excellency Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka.

This first official visit by president His Excellency Mr. Asif Ali Zardari marks the zenith of Pakistan - Sri Lanka relations running over several decades. As a parliamentary democracy, Sri Lanka has been admiring Pakistan on its commitment and strength to maintain parliamentary Democracy, though at times it has been having testing hours of democracy.

Apart from parliamentary democracy, Pakistan and Sri Lanka share many things in common such as cultural religious and social values.

Bering one of the closest friends of Sri Lanka, Pakistan has been throughout the years a valued partner of Sri Lanka in its trade, cultural and economic activities.

I join the members of our Association and the people of Sri Lanka in extending our warmest welcome and wishing Your Excellency's visit be a cherished happy event resulting in the beginning of a new chapter of happy relations with Sri Lanka.

A.H. M. Fowzie, Minister of Urban Affairs

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