Islamabad, /DNA/ – A delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry-ICCI led by Mr. Muhammad Shakeel Munir, President paid a visit to the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Pakistan and conveyed him condolences on behalf of the business community on a very sad and unfortunate incident of killing of Mr. Priyantha in Sialkot. The delegation was comprised of Mr.Jamshaid Akhtar Sheikh, SVP, Mr.Muhammad Faheem Khan, VP, Mian Muhammad Akram Farid, Chairman ICCI Founder Group and former President ICCI, Mr.Zaffar Bakhtawari, Chairman ICCI Diplomatic Committee and former President ICCI.

Mr.Muhuammad Shakeel Munir, President handed over a cheque of PKR 1 Million to His Excellency, Vice Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama, as a token to express solidarity with the bereaved family of Mr.Priyantha and reaffirmed that justice will prevail and the perpetrators will be punished by the law.

The President ICCI said that the business community highly condemns this unfortunate incident. He further said that Pakistan is a peaceful nation but such incidents tarnish the soft image of Pakistan, which should not happen in future.

Mr.Shakeel Munir said that the Government of Pakistan has arrested the people who were involved in this incident, however, the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry would strongly recommend speedy justice and strict action against the culprits. He assured that the business community would extend all possible support to the family of Mr.Priyantha so that they could pass the rest of their lives comfortably.

Mr.Shakeel Munir further discussed matters of bilateral interests and a way forward to promote the trade relations between the two countries. He invited the High Commissioner to visit the Chamber and said that trading activities should be further accelerated with exchange of business delegations and trade related information. He said that the Chamber is planning to hold various exhibitions and would like Sri Lankan companies to participate in these events.

H.E.Mr.Vice Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama said that though it was a terrible incident and he underlined that this incident will not affected the trade and bilateral relations between the two nations. The Excellency hoped that the Government of Pakistan would take strong actions against the perpetrators and provide justice to the family of Mr.Priyantha. He thanked the business community for providing financial and moral support. The Excellency informed that in February next year, a Sri Lanka business delegation is expected to visit Pakistan for B2B meetings with the Pakistani businessmen.

Speaking at this occasion, Mian Akram Farid, Chairman Founder Group expressed his deep grief with the family and said that the Pakistani nation has great respect for the foreign nationals. He said that Pakistan has established good trade and diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka and hoped that these relations would be further strengthened at government and private sector level.

Mr.Zaffar Bakhtawari, Chairman ICCI Diplomatic Committee, Mr.Jamshaid Akhtar Sheikh, SVP and Mr.Muhammad Faheem Khan also expressed solidarity with the family of Mr.Priyantha. They said that the business community would like to maintain the good diplomatic and economic relations with Sri Lanka in order to further promote trading activities between the two countries.