Qatari emir sends best wishes to Pakistan

Qatari, Sri Lankan envoys call on FM Qureshi

ISLAMABAD:

Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Monday sent best wishes to the leadership and people of Pakistan through his newly appointed envoy to the country.

The message was conveyed by the new Qatari Ambassador to Pakistan Sheikh Saud bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani during a meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the foreign affairs ministry. The two dignitaries discussed bilateral relations between the two countries.

FM Qureshi said that Pakistan enjoyed “deep, long-standing and fraternal” relations with Qatar.

He congratulated the Qatari envoy on assuming his responsibilities in Pakistan and expressed hope that it would further strengthen Pakistan-Qatar relations and enhance bilateral cooperation to achieve “peace, stability and prosperity” in the region.

Meanwhile, FM Qureshi also met Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan Vice Admiral (retd) Mohan Wijewickrama, who called on him here. During the meeting, various issues of mutual interest were discussed, including the promotion of bilateral relations.

“Pakistan attaches great importance to its bilateral relations with Sri Lanka as both countries always stood by each other in difficult times,” the FM said.

He added that Pakistan considered the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation as an important platform for promoting economic development in the region and desired a more active role to ensure peace and stability.

The foreign minister congratulated the Sri Lankan ambassador on assuming the office of High Commissioner and hoped that it would further enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields.

He also extended felicitations to Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa and his party on the victory in recent elections in his country and wished them well. FM Qureshi also recalled his visit to Sri Lanka last December and his meetings with the country’s leadership.

He stressed the need for an exchange of high-level delegations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan high commissioner thanked the foreign minister for his good wishes and acknowledged that Pakistan always stood by Sri Lanka in difficult times.