Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
Expressing confidence in the leadership of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that the Commonwealth would become a stronger and more cohesive organisation under the leadership of the Sri Lankan head of state.
The premier arrived in the Sri Lanka capital on Thursday to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting commencing on Friday. He was received at Bandaranaike International Airport by Nimal Siripala de Silva, Leader of the House of Sri Lankan Parliament.
The PM congratulated the government and people of Sri Lanka for hosting this year’s Commonwealth summit in their country, the theme for which is ‘growth with equity-inclusive development.’
Nawaz reaffirmed that Pakistan, being a democracy and a responsible member of the global community, subscribed to the work of the Commonwealth for promoting peace through international cooperation, and poverty alleviation through sustainable economic and social development.
This year’s theme, therefore, is highly relevant, he added. The premier recalled that he had represented Pakistan at the Harare Summit in 1991, where the landmark declaration setting out the core principles and values of the Commonwealth, known as the Harare Principles, were adopted.
“These values and principles encompassing democracy, freedom, peace, rule of law, respect for human rights and opportunity for all, serve as a binding force amongst its member states,” the prime minister stated in his message.
The prime minister is accompanied by his wife Begum Kulsoom Nawaz. The Pakistani delegation includes prime minister’s special assistant on foreign affairs Tariq Fatemi, State Minister for IT and Telecom Anusha Rahman and Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbasi Jilani.
Pakistan is one of the eight founding members of the Commonwealth, which signed the London Declaration of April 1949. Pakistan makes annual contributions to five heads of the Commonwealth namely the Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Foundation, Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation, Commonwealth Youth Programme and
the Commonwealth of Learning.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 15th, 2013.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ