COLOMBO: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that dispute free South Asia is his vision for peace and stability in the region.
Addressing a ceremony on Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations at Institute of international relations and strategic studies in Colombo today, he said the region needs strategic stability and this requires serious dialogue.
The Prime Minister said the regional countries should take head on literacy, disease, poverty and mal nutrition. We should strengthen our bonds of trust for resolution of problems.
About bilateral relations with Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister said both the countries enjoy special relations which are deep rooted in shared history, culture and traditions. He said the two countries 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 emphasized the need for augmenting the bilateral trade with Srilanka to one billion dollars.
He called for greater parliamentary exchanges between the two countries so as to learn from each other’s experiences.
He said Pakistan desires enhanced maritime relations with Sri Lanka and looks forward for increased engagements between the armed forces of two countries. He said Pakistan will continue to provide training facilities to the security forces of Sri Lanka and other institutions.
He expressed the desire to further enhance and strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka in all spheres for peace and stability in the region.
Referring to the economic gains of the country, Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan offers immense opportunities for investment in different sectors including infrastructure and energy. He said the Sri Lankan investors should take benefit from Pakistan’s investor friendly policies.
In his address, the Prime Minister gave a detailed overview of the progress made by Pakistan on the economic and security front.
He said Pakistan has waged a comprehensive campaign against terrorism without any distinction. Terrorist sanctuaries and infrastructure in our tribal areas have been destroyed. Thousands of terrorists have been killed or captured through well coordinated and intelligence based operations across the country.
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.
