Perpetrators of terrorist assault on Sri Lankan cricket team to be dealt with iron hands; Zardari

Perpetrators of terrorist assault on Sri Lankan cricket team to be dealt with iron hands; Zardari

ISLAMABAD, Mar 4, (APP): President Asif Ali Zardariá on Wednesday said that perpetrators of heinous terrorist assaults on Sri Lankan Cricket team will be unearthed and dealt with iron hands.Talking to Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Rohita Bogollagama, the President underlined the need to jointly devise a mechanism for promotion of peace, development and progress of the region by Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister is visiting Pakistan as special envoy of the Sri Lankan President in the wake of Lahore terrorist attack on Sri Lankan team. He expressed deep sympathies with the Sri Lankan cricket team especially those who sustained injuries as a result of dastardly attack. The President suggested that the two countries hold a workshop to learn from each other’s experiences in fighting terrorism with a view of devising a mechanism for enhancing cooperation between them for fighting militancy. He said the incident was a serious set back that had also undermined the sports of cricket in Pakistan. He said that the attack had once again underlined the fact that terrorism was not confined to any country and was a global problem which needed cooperative international efforts to root it out. The President said that progress has been made in the investigation and the perpetrators will be exposed and brought to justice. He also welcomed the statement of Sri Lankan government stating that the incident would not cause any restraint on the mutual relationship of both these countries. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister was accompanied with Marshal Jayalath Weerakody, High Commissioner designate Sri Lanka and other senior officials of the foreign office of Sri Lanka. Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Advisor on Interior Rehman A. Malik and senior officers of the foreign office were also present during the meeting. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister thanked Pakistan for taking all possible measures for evacuation of Lankan players and immediate medical treatment was provided to injured players. He emphasized that close brotherly relations exist between the two neighbouring countries which are vital for peace, stability and progress in the region.