Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to promptly remove Pakistan from all “negative” visa categories following a meeting with Federal Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
During the discussion, Naqvi highlighted the visa challenges being faced by Pakistani nationals. In response, President Dissanayake instructed the concerned authorities to eliminate Pakistan from restrictive visa lists, a decision expected to simplify travel procedures for Pakistani citizens, including business travelers.
The Sri Lankan president also shared that the country’s prime minister is expected to visit Pakistan in the near future, signaling continued diplomatic engagement between the two nations.
The meeting further covered cooperation in areas such as counterterrorism, anti-narcotics initiatives, and joint security training programs. President Dissanayake expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support during challenging periods and acknowledged Islamabad’s decision to play a T20 World Cup match against India in Colombo, describing it as a positive and goodwill gesture.
In a message posted on X, President Dissanayake confirmed his meeting with Mohsin Naqvi and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain, noting that both countries reaffirmed their longstanding and friendly relations.
Naqvi also conveyed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s invitation to the Sri Lankan president to visit Pakistan. He thanked the Sri Lankan leadership for hosting the Pakistani delegation during the T20 World Cup, underscoring the strong ties and mutual cooperation between the two nations.
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