ISLAMABAD: The Prime Minister of Sri Lan­ka, Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, today [Sept 5] expressed “gravest concern” over “re­­­cent development of beginnings of Great Power rivalries in the Asian region”. Addres­sing a special joint session of the Parliament’s two Houses here this evening, she emphasi­sed the need for the countries of Asia to work towards “An Asian identity” and get together to solve their problems on a regional basis.

Earlier, in a brief speech, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto welcomed the distinguished guest to the House. Mr. Bhutto said although all States could claim that they were peace-loving yet such a claim by only those States was valid which encouraged settlements of disputes on the basis of justice and strove to remove the shadow of the nuclear threat “which darkens mankind’s horizon”.

The National Assembly Speaker, Sahibzada Farooq Ali, presented a welcome address. Recalling “very close and friendly” relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, he said: “Madam Prime Minister, you have stood by us during our difficult days and shared our worries for which we are deeply grateful to you”. — Islamabad Bureau

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2024