Saturday Aug 15, 2026
Saturday Aug 15, 2026
Saturday, 15 August 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd.) Dr. Nayyar Naseer, , HI (M)
The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Pakistani community in Sri Lanka yesterday commemorated Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day, reaffirming the country’s commitment to building a progressive, democratic and prosperous Islamic welfare state.
The ceremony at the Pakistan High Commission commenced with the hoisting of the national flag by Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd.) Dr. Nayyar Naseer, HI (M), accompanied by the national anthem. Special messages from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were also read at the event.
In his keynote address, Dr. Naseer paid tribute to Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Thinker of Pakistan Allama Muhammad Iqbal, while reflecting on eight decades of Pakistan’s resilience, faith and progress across the economy, sports, defence and information technology.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to defend its national sovereignty and vital water resources, the High Commissioner said Pakistan remained committed to peaceful coexistence and resolving regional issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, through dialogue and diplomacy.
Turning to Sri Lanka-Pakistan relations, Dr. Naseer expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Sri Lanka for their longstanding warmth towards Pakistan and highlighted recent institutional progress under the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
He pointed to growing bilateral momentum through industrial and SME linkages between Sri Lankan businesses and hubs in Punjab and Karachi, as well as technology exchanges in the gems and jewellery sector.
The High Commissioner also highlighted efforts to remove trade barriers affecting Sri Lankan agricultural exports, including tea, pineapple and avocado, as well as expanding investment by Pakistani enterprises in Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical sector.
Dr. Naseer also referred to ongoing cultural and educational initiatives between the two countries and efforts to promote Gandhara Buddhist tourism.
He highlighted the upcoming Sri Lanka-Pakistan Business Forum to be held with the Export Development Board (EDB) as another initiative aimed at strengthening bilateral commercial engagement.
Reaffirming that the Pakistan-Sri Lanka relationship was “time-tested, long-lasting and unconditional,” the High Commissioner underscored Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening ties between the two countries.
The Independence Day event concluded with a gathering of Sri Lankan dignitaries, diplomats, business leaders, media representatives and members of the Pakistani diaspora.
