Pakistani President confers prestigious award on Sri Lanka’s Ifthikhar Aziz
View(s):Ifthikhar Aziz, President of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Friendship, Trade and Investment Association, was conferred with national honours in Pakistan last week by President Mamnoon Hussain.
He received the prestigious “Tamgha -I-Khidmat” award in recognition of his outstanding role in advancing Pakistan – Sri Lanka bilateral relations, promoting trade relations plus academic and cultural links between the two countries.
The award, for meritorious and distinguished services, was conferred at a special investiture ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, President’s official residence in Islamabad on Pakistan Day, March 23. The ceremony was attended by the civil and military leadership, federal ministers, parliamentarians and diplomats, etc.
Mr. Aziz has made strident efforts in bolstering Pakistan-Sri Lanka economic and business ties for over three decades through the 66 year-old Sri Lanka – Pakistan Friendship Association, which in 2015 was revamped to include trade and investment as well.
Pakistan has Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with China and Malaysia, in addition to Sri Lanka. “All stakeholders including businesses, line ministries, relevant authorities in export/import, investment and related fields in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka are not fully aware of the true potential, benefits and opportunities that are available to achieve the US$1 billion per annum trade volume that has been targeted by both governments of Sri Lanka and Pakistan,” explained Mr. Aziz in a media statement.
He said that in reality, this is an achievable target; however awareness must be created in both the countries so as to exploit the FTAs to its optimum. “Our association is committed to create this awareness which will truly benefit both our countries,” he stated.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who met Mr. Aziz and his delegation comprising Vice President of the Association, Idris Admani and Secretary General Fazal Lafir at the PM’s Office in Islamabad mentioned the many opportunities for Sri Lankan businesses. The PM urged Sri Lanka to make use of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for which China is investing $50 billion.
At a similar discussion in Lahore with the Chief Minister of Punjab Province, Shahbaz Sharif, similar sentiments were made with the Chief Minister offering his fullest support. The delegation also met with the Governor of Khyber PhakhtunKhwa (KPK) Province at his official residence in Peshawar.