Prime Minister Imran Khan has offered Sri Lanka to benefit from Pakistan’s connectivity up to Central Asia through CPEC.
Prime Minister Imran was addressing a joint press conference on Tuesday with his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa following a one-on-one meeting in capital Colombo.
He said Pakistan is a part of OBOR and CPEC and can help Sri Lanka economy by providing it corridor to expand its economy.
Prime Minister Imran said Pakistan and Sri Lanka had been a victim of terrorism. “Pakistan had been a victim of worst form of terrorism for 10 years. We lost 70,000 lives to the scourge. Sri Lanka had to combat terrorism for 30 years and Pakistan played its part to help eradicate the menace from the country,” he added.
At present, both the nations are facing the coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Imran said, and added that developed countries can help the under developed and developing countries by suspending installments of debts.
He said he discussed with Prime Minister Rajapaksa how “we can jointly work with poor countries to seek relief.”
He said he had come with a stimulus package for Sri Lanka. “I invite you to promote your economic and regional ties through Pakistan.”
He said he had come to strengthen bilateral ties with Sri Lanka.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Rajapaksa told Imran Khan that he is not unknown to the people of Sri Lanka because of his cricketing career.
“We thank Pakistan for their cooperation in war against LTTE,” he added.
“We have discussed cooperation in current areas and committed to continue with it,” he added.
Imran Minister Imran thanked for the hospitality extended to him. “You rightly said that I am no stranger to Sri Lanka,” he continued.
He said he came here first time after university when you were starting your political career and I was starting my cricket career.
Both the leaders had a one-on-one meeting before the joint press conference.
Earlier, Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Pakistan and Sri Lanka on investment in the presence of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Mahinda Rajapaksa.
Prime Minister Imran is visiting the island country on the invitation of his counterpart Rajapaksa.
On arrival in Colombo, he was accorded a warm reception followed by a formal welcome ceremony, where he was given a 19-gun salute.
