ISLAMABAD, Dec 10 (APP): Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to providing phased and sustained assistance to Sri Lanka as the island nation continues to recover from the devastation caused by the recent cyclone.
The assurance was conveyed by Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry during separate meetings with Sri Lankan Deputy Speaker, Mohomed Risvi Sali and Transport Minister, Bimal Rathnayake in Colombo on Wednesday.
Junaid Chaudhry said Pakistan would continue extending support across multiple stages, including immediate relief, longer-term rehabilitation and reconstruction, and future infrastructure development aimed at helping Sri Lanka rebuild resiliently.
The federal minister noted that the government of Pakistan views its assistance not as a one-off gesture but as part of a sustained regional responsibility to stand by a close friend in a time of crisis.
Conveying a message of solidarity from Pakistan’s prime minister, Junaid Chaudhry stressed that Islamabad remains deeply concerned about the scale of human and material losses caused by the cyclone.
He noted that Pakistan is fully engaged in relief efforts to help Sri Lanka manage the aftermath, highlighting that the Pakistan Navy is actively participating in on-ground operations in affected areas.
The Sri Lankan leadership expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s timely outreach and the practical assistance rendered so far. Discussions also touched on broader bilateral cooperation, particularly in maritime coordination, disaster-response mechanisms and transport sector strengthening.
Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said both sides shared a commitment to enhancing regional preparedness in the face of increasingly frequent climate-driven disasters.
“Pakistan considers Sri Lanka not only a long-standing friend but a key regional partner, and will continue to support the country through every stage of recovery as it works to restore normalcy for affected communities”, the federal minister added.