News
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
PM arrives in Colombo to attend Commonwealth summit tomorrow* Nawaz will meet several world leaders on the sidelines of the four-day moot
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will travel to Sri Lanka tomorrow (Thursday) to represent Pakistan at the 53-member Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk
Besides attending the inaugural, executive and retreat sessions of the summit, the prime minister will meet several world leaders on the sidelines of the four-day moot, said a press release issued by the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo on Tuesday. The prime minister’s interaction with the heads of governments of Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand have been scheduled. His delegation will include State Minister for Information Technology and Telecom Anusha Rehman, PM’s Special Assistant Syed Tariq Fatemi and Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani.
High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Maj Gen (r) Qasim Qureshi expressed confidence that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit would not only enhance Pakistan’s standing amongst the Commonwealth nations but would also open up new vistas of cooperation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The participation of Prime Minister Nawaz in the summit is highly significant as it would strengthen Pakistan’s relationship with Commonwealth that has always supported democracy in the country.
In view of the special relationship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Foreign Minister GL Peiris made a personal call on Prime Minister Nawaz Nawaz in Islamabad on August 23 to hand over President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s letter of invitation to attend CHOGM Summit. The Commonwealth leaders who meet every two years represent world’s largest and smallest, richest and poorest countries which are home to two billion citizens of all faiths and ethnicities. The CHOGM provides a unique forum to pursue trade and investment opportunities, strengthen people-to-people links and promote shared values.
This year’s event, with the theme “Growth with Equity; Inclusive Development”, will provide an opportunity for Commonwealth leaders to meet in Sri Lanka to discuss world issues relevant to building a strong and secure future for all.
The forum will provide a unique opportunity for delegates to contribute and present key policy recommendations to CHOGM, learn about new business and investment opportunities, conduct business with other international partners, network with key government and business leaders, and influence the debate on important trade and investment issues. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa will host the Heads of Government Meeting and take over as chair for next two years till the next CHOGM Summit in 2015. app