Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd) Muhammad Saad Khattak called on the island nation’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and discussed bilateral areas of cooperation and the interest between the two countries.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on economic cooperation, trade, educational cooperation and sports diplomacy, with a special focus on promoting cultural heritage and religious tourism between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, ColomboPage reported.

The high commissioner apprised the prime minister of Islamabad’s various initiatives to promote religious tourism, especially the recent high-level visit of the Buddhist monks and the production of a documentary in collaboration with a Sri Lankan film producer to highlight the grandeur of Gandhara heritage in Pakistan.

The envoy also briefed the premier regarding the higher education opportunities available to Sri Lankan students under the recently announced a round of Allama Iqbal Scholarships, offered by the Government of Pakistan across all fields of study.

Khattak emphasized the importance of enhanced collaboration between the two brotherly countries for the uplift of people. He further said that Pakistan is committed to providing continued support to Sri Lanka.

Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields, with a special focus on promoting religious tourism and to enhance people-to-people contact.

(SAM)