Pakistan to extend credit lines, assistance to students , public servants

The Pakistani Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua said yesterday that her government would extend credit lines, ongoing scholarship and training assistance to Sri Lankan students and public servants.

Addressing the launch of the Pakistan Alumni Society of Sri Lanka at the Galadari Hotel in Colombo , she noted that the scholarship and training programmes conducted in Pakistan had benefited a large number of students and public service employees. ” It is our intention to widen the scope of both programmes.”

The founding of Pakistan Alumni Society of Sri Lanka, she said was timely and would contribute to further strengthening the long standing bonds of friendship between the two countries.

The Foreign Secretary who was here to attend Bilateral Political Consultations, revealed that Pakistan would also extend existing Credit Lines totaling US$ 210 million.

Pakistan’s new High Commissioner designate to Sri Lanka Major General ( Rtd) Shahid Ahmad Hashmat said he was happy to see the formation of the new Alumni Society, coincide with his arrival in Colombo.

Hashmat is scheduled to present his credentials to President Maithripala Sirisena next week.

At the Foreign Secretary Level Consultations held on October 17, Sri Lanka and Pakistan reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral relations. The prospects of cooperation in trade, investment, defence, education, science and technology, culture, tourism, capacity building, immigration issues and sports were discussed in detail. The two sides also reviewed legal, protocol and consular matters.

The Sri Lankan delegation was led by Foreign Secretary Prasad Kariyawasam.

It was agreed that the Joint Working Groups would oversee implementation of the Agreements/MoUs signed and expand the ambit of Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement .

The two sides also reviewed cooperation at international and regional fora and agreed to jointly work to make SAARC, a vibrant regional organization.

Appreciating the effectiveness of talks , it was decided to hold the next round of Foreign Secretary Level Consultations in Islamabad, in October, 2018.