March 17, Colombo (LNW): New Pakistani High Commissioner, Major General (Retd.) Faheem Ul Aziz, met with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees on Friday (15).
During the meeting, the High Commissioner expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Gunawardena for extending felicitations and best wishes to the newly-elected President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In response, Prime Minister Gunawardena thanked Pakistan for its consistent support of Sri Lanka at international forums and for providing training facilities to members of the Sri Lankan armed forces.
Discussions revolved around the potential expansion of bilateral ties, particularly in economic sectors, investments, tourism, and industries.
High Commissioner Aziz highlighted the potential for increased Buddhist pilgrimages to Pakistan, noting the presence of established infrastructure facilities in pilgrimage sites such as Thakshila and the Gandhara region.
The meeting was attended by MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Prime Minister’s Secretary Anura Dissanayake, and Deputy High Commissioner Wajid Hassan Hashmi.