COLOMBO (APP) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that dispute free South Asia is his vision for peace and stability in the region.
He was addressing a function on Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations at Institute of international relations and strategic studies in Colombo.
He urged all regional countries to enhance their literacy rate and overcome diseases, poverty and mal nutrition. He said that we should also strengthen our bonds of trust for resolution of these problems.
Talking about bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister said both the countries shares common history, culture and traditions. He said the two countries also enjoy commonality of views on international issues.
Nawaz Sharif reminded that Sri Lanka was the first country with which Pakistan entered into a free-trade agreement.
He called for greater parliamentary exchanges between the two countries to learn from each other’s experiences.
He said Pakistan desires to enhance its maritime relations with Sri Lanka and looks forward for increased engagements between the two armed forces. He said Pakistan will continue to provide training facilities to the security forces of Sri Lanka.
About relations with India, the Prime Minister said he remains committed to promoting peace and stability in the region. He said the foreign secretaries of the two countries are meeting within the next few days to determine the modalities of the dialogue process.
On Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said Pakistan has consistently supported an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and will continue to do so in future for the sake of regional peace.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said Pakistan offers best investment opportunities to foreign investors.
He was talking to Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways Akbar Al-Baker in Colombo today.
Nawaz Sharif said foreign companies are getting full profit of their businesses.
Speaking on the occasion, Akbar Al-Baker showed his interest to expand operational facilities of Qatar Airways in Pakistan.
