Pakistan High Commissioner briefs President on latest security situation in South Asia

Pakistan High Commissioner Major General (R) Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hashmat called upon President Maithripala Sirisena on 8 March.

The High Commissioner apprised the President on the security situation in the South Asian region. Dr. Hashmat reiterated emphatically Pakistan’s unrelenting commitment and dedicated resolve for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

The High Commissioner underscored repeated sincere and honest efforts of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in deescalating the recent tension across the Line of Control between India and Pakistan. He emphasised the fact that the entire spectrum of 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 stated that Sri Lanka is a close friend of Pakistan and India. Therefore, it supports and advocates resolution of conflict between India and Pakistan through bilateral dialogue and negotiations, which is very important for peace and stability in the region. He further elaborated that the military escalation between Pakistan and India will affect the entire region, especially having a negative impact on economic progress and prosperity. 

Expressing the paramount importance of peace, the President expressed that as a member of SAARC fraternity, Sri Lanka fully supports peace in the SAARC region and is willing to play an important role in achieving peace. He also underscored the importance of using the SAARC forum to promote mutual cooperation among its member states. 

The President expressed his confidence that under the astute political stewardship of Imran Khan, Pakistan will not allow the conflict to escalate further and expressed his hope for early resolution of current crisis. He also appreciated Pakistan’s positive action of releasing the Indian pilot, expecting that such gestures will help to diffuse tension and would promote peace in the region.