Pakistan envoy calls on Sri Lankan President, discusses regional situation

COLOMBO: Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Major General (Retd.) Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hashmat on Saturday called on by the Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena where they discussed overall security situation of the region, ARY News reported.

The envoy apprised the President on the recent security situation in the South Asian region.

Dr Hashmat reiterated that Pakistan exhibited its unrelenting commitment and dedicated resolve for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

The high commissioner underscored repeated sincere efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan to de-escalate tension between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC).

He emphasised that Pakistani leadership advocates and endorses the international community’s support for sustainable dialogue for peaceful resolution of all disputes and conflicts between Islamabad and New Delhi including the Kashmir issue.

President Sirisena appreciated Pakistan’s peace gesture after releasing the arrested Indian pilot. He said that such gestures will help to diffuse tension and would promote peace in the region.

He said that Sri Lanka was a close ally of Pakistan and India and it supports resolution of the conflict between India and Pakistan through dialogue, which is crucial for peace and stability in the region.

He further said that the military escalation between Pakistan and India will affect the entire region, especially having a negative impact on economic progress and prosperity.

Sirisena expressed that Colombo fully supports peace in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) region and is willing to play an important role in achieving peace as a member of the fraternity. He also underscored the importance of using the forum to promote mutual cooperation among its member states.

The President expressed his confidence that Pakistan will not allow the conflict to escalate further and expressed his hope for early resolution of the current crisis under the astute political stewardship of PM Imran Khan.