COLOMBO: Visa-related restrictions faced by Pakistani nationals in Sri Lanka have been lifted following high-level talks between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo.
Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain was also present during the meeting.
According to officials, Naqvi highlighted difficulties encountered by Pakistanis in obtaining Sri Lankan visas. In response, President Dissanayake took immediate notice and directed that Pakistan be removed from all restrictive visa lists, effectively easing visa-related hurdles for Pakistani citizens.
During the meeting, both sides held detailed discussions on cooperation in counter-terrorism, anti-narcotics efforts, and joint training programs between security forces. Naqvi conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation to the Sri Lankan president to visit Pakistan.
The interior minister also thanked the Sri Lankan leadership for arrangements during the recent ICC T20 World Cup matches and for hosting the Pakistani delegation.
President Dissanayake reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening ties with Pakistan and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s goodwill gestures.
