Pakistan and Sri Lanka Commit to Strengthening Interfaith Cooperation and Cultural Preservation

Islamabad, In a significant development aimed at bolstering interfaith harmony and cultural ties, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, met with Sri Lankan Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs, Vidura Wickramanayake. The ministers discussed various initiatives to promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of education and cultural preservation.

According to Press Information Department, during the meeting, Minister Hussain highlighted the efforts being made in Pakistan to preserve the Gandhara culture and heritage, as well as maintaining religious sites important to diverse faiths, including Sikhism in Hasan Abdal. He also detailed initiatives aimed at increasing educational exchanges, mentioning an increase in scholarships for Sri Lankan students and opportunities for vocational training in medical and religious studies.

On his part, Minister Wickramanayake appreciated the active role of different religious communities in Sri Lanka in safeguarding sacred sites and acknowledged the strong cultural values inherent in Pakistani society. The meeting also touched upon the potential for creating opportunities in the tourism sector for Sri Lankan youth, given Pakistan’s large and vibrant youth demographic.