Envoy-designate calls on president

Islamabad : People of Pakistan stand by their oppressed Kashmiris and condemn the fascist Indian Government for its inhuman treatment of its minorities, as manifested in the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019 passed by Indian Lok Sabha.

This was stated by President Dr. Arif Alvi while talking to High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Major General (r) Muhammad Saad Khattak, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr here on Wednesday.

The president said all high commissioners and ambassadors must highlight the true perspective on Kashmir issue and Indian oppression there.

He said Pakistan attached great importance to its fraternal relations with Sri Lanka, based on trust and mutual understanding.

The president added that the warmth of the bilateral relationship was reflected in the exchanges at the leadership level. However, the current volume of bilateral trade between the two countries was not commensurate to the true potential, he added.

"There is a need to re-invigorate our efforts to realize the goal of enhancing bilateral trade," he said.

The president highlighted the successful visit of the Sri Lankan cricket team to Pakistan and said the first international test series in Pakistan since 2009 would also revive international cricket in Pakistan.

He said that we took pride in providing scholarships to Sri Lankan students. He also highlighted that Pakistan was home to rich Buddhist civilisation and heritage.

The president said Pakistan held Vesak Festival every year, which was participated in by monks and academicians from Sri Lankan. He also directed the High Commissioner-designate to work for promotion of tourism.