Addressing the members of Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Association - a 30 member multiparty caucus from both the countries established in 2007, here at the Parliament House the President said the two countries need to go for a win-win situation for both.
He said by going for barter trade, the two countries do not have to pay each other in dollars, lessening the pressure on their foreign exchange reserves. "If you have anything in abundance we can trade. We have abundance of cement, you have tea and other commodities that we can exchange."
"We want to be friends forever," President Zardari told the Parliamentarians. President Zardari said "unlike the investors who come and take back their money, Pakistan is offering a win-win relation as it is the only way that is acceptable to both the sides."
The President mentioned a great sharing between the democracies of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and said Pakistan admires Sri Lanka's long and honourable tradition of democratic rule.
"It is my strong belief that our two democracies share a lot with each other. There is a lot that binds us," President Zardari said. President Zardari said Pakistan and Sri Lanka stood by each other in moments of trial and tribulation, as the two countries had a lot of common concerns and challenges.
He said Pakistan rejoiced in the successes Sri Lanka scored in eradicating the menace of terrorism. He said Sri Lanka was a land of Buddhism, and a land of peace and he was glad that the country managed to defeat terrorists after decades of fighting.
He said it was time for Sri Lanka to adopt modern technology and make safer its cities as the threat of terrorism continues to haunt it, as it does to Pakistan. He mentioned that Pakistan too and his family were a victim of terrorism, but they remained undeterred and have countered it successfully.
He said following the Russian invasion in Afghanistan, a "monster" emerged that even today continues to haunt. The President said a nation standing united can face the dangers of the unknown - the terrorism, and defeat the state-less enemies.
The President said he has directed the Minister of Defence to ensure that PIA comes to Sri Lanka so it enables Pakistani businessmen to invest in business, which is better for both the countries. He said Sri Lanka can be a tourist heaven and with better infrastructure and peace, improve its potential and make it a more attractive. The President said since 2008, Pakistan too underwent a fundamental democratic transformation as it struggled hard for democracy.
He mentioned the great leaders, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto Shaheed who laid down their lives for the democratic values and ideals. Lauding the services of Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentarians Friendship Association and Pakistan-Sri Lanka Friendship Group, the President said these were manifestation of the strength and substance of friendship between the two countries.
The Speaker of the Parliament Chamal Rajapakse said Sri Lanka would always remember the strong support of Pakistan to rid it of the terrorism. He said the two nations were important members of the United Nations and the SAARC and would continue to extend support to each other at all fora. He mentioned the FTA that was made operational in 2005 and said the trade needs to be improved further to benefit from the agreement.
He said despite the great challenges and formidable pressures, particularly during the era of terrorism, Sri Lanka stayed the course to strengthen and continue on a democratic path. He said in era of globalisation the role of Parliament was all the more important to enable the nation face the challenges.
The Speaker urged greater people to people contacts and collaboration in health, education, science and technology for the mutual good. He also called for more frequent exchange of parliamentary delegations to foster better understanding and to bring the two nations closer.
He also expressed deepest condolences over the loss of life in the recent flooding in Pakistan. The Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentarians Friendship Association, initially a multiparty caucus of 30 members, was established in Colombo in November 2007.
On similar lines, a Pakistan-Sri Lanka Friendship Group has been established in the National Assembly of Pakistan with Speaker, Dr Fehmida Mirza as its President. The Group comprises four other MNAs, which include: Faryal Talpur (PPPP), Khurram Jehangir Wattoo (PPPP), Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan (MQM), and Bushra Gohar (ANP).
President Asif Ali Zardari visited the Parliament Complex at Sri Jayawardanapura Kotte. Upon his arrival at the Parliament the President, accompanied by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Chairman BOI Saleem Mandviwala and Finance Minister of Sindh, were received at the Parliament by the Speaker, Sri Lankan Prime Minister D M Jayavartane, ministers and Chairmen of Sri Lanka-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Association.