ISLAMABAD: High Commissioner of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Major General (Retd) Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hashmat called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena wherein he apprised the latter on the security situation in the South Asian region.

During the meeting, Dr. Hashmat reiterated emphatically Pakistan’s unrelenting commitment and dedicated resolve for peace, stability and prosperity in the region, said a press release received here Saturday.

He underscored repeated sincere and honest efforts of Prime Minister Imran Khan in deescalating the recent tension across the Line of Control between India and Pakistan.

He emphasized the fact that the entire spectrum of Pakistani leadership advocated and endorsed the international community’s support for sustainable dialogue for peaceful resolution of all disputes and conflicts between Islamabad and New Delhi, including the Kashmir issue.

President Maithripala Sirisena said that Sri Lanka supported and advocated resolution of conflict between India and Pakistan through bilateral dialogue and negotiations, which was very important for peace and stability in the region.

He said that the military escalation between Pakistan and India would affect the entire region, especially casting negative impact on economic progress and prosperity.

Expressing the paramount importance of peace, the Sri Lankan president viewed that as a member of SAARC fraternity, Sri Lanka fully supported peace in the SAARC region and was willing to play an important role in achieving peace.

He also underscored the importance of using SAARC forum to promote mutual cooperation among its member states.

The president expressed his confidence that under the astute political leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan would not allow the conflict to escalate further and hoped for early resolution of current crisis.

He also appreciated Pakistan’s positive action of releasing the captured Indian pilot, and remarked that such gestures would help diffuse tension and promote peace in the region.

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