Sunday Times 2
Pak President meets Lankan Buddhist delegation
View(s):Pakistan’s President Dr. Arif Alvi has said his country highly values its ties with Sri Lanka as both countries enjoyed excellent relations in various fields which are based on mutual respect and trust.
Welcoming a Sri Lankan delegation comprising Buddhist monks, he said Pakistan considered
Sri Lanka as special partner and friend and wanted to further improve bilateral cooperation for the mutual benefits of the two friendly countries. The meeting took place, at the Presidential Palace on Thursday, according to a media release from the Pakistan High Commission.
Dr. Alvi said Pakistan was home to the Gandhara Buddhist heritage and proud custodian of some of the most sacred relics of Buddha offering great potential for promoting religious tourism from
Sri Lanka to Pakistan. He told the delegation to encourage the monks and people of Sri Lanka to visit the Buddhist sites in Pakistan as it had far greater number of Buddhist artefacts than any other country in the world. The delegation deeply thanked the Government of Pakistan for making excellent arrangements to facilitate its visit to Buddhist sites. It also appreciated the measures taken by Pakistan for the renovation and preservation of Buddhist heritage sites.
