ISLAMABAD (Sapeher Times) Thank you Sri Lanka; Resolutions of appreciation passed by Pakistani Parliament.

ISLAMABAD (Sapeher Times) Thank you Sri Lanka, Pakistani government, thanks to the excellent strategy of Field Marshal Asim Munir, the attack of Indian proxy Fitna-ul-Kharij on Pakistani cricket has been foiled. Pakistani Parliament has passed resolutions of appreciation for the decision of Sri Lanka cricket team to continue its tour of Pakistan despite the threats,
The Senate and the National Assembly on Thursday passed separate resolutions in which Sri Lanka’s decision to continue its cricket team’s tour of Pakistan despite the threats was appreciated. The Senate passed a unanimous resolution in which it paid tribute to the recent decision of the Sri Lankan government, its cricket board and the team to continue their tour of Pakistan despite security concerns. The resolution was presented in the House by Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, which said that exemplary courage, professionalism and goodwill have been displayed by Sri Lankan players and officials. The resolution appreciated the historical and brotherly relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The resolution commended the concerned ministries for ensuring comprehensive security arrangements and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to hosting international matches in a safe environment. The National Assembly also passed a resolution today in which it appreciated the decision of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board to direct its cricket team to continue its tour of Pakistan despite all the risks. The resolution moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry thanked the Sri Lankan President and the entire government for taking personal interest in this matter.

Field Marshal Asim Munir’s strategy has truly paid off. The failure of the Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij is greater than expected
Due to the efforts of Field Marshal Asim Munir, the players have decided to play in Pakistan with great courage
The gratitude expressed by Pakistanis for thwarting the attack on Pakistan cricket under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir is commendable. It is hoped that this success will prove to be a new beginning for Pakistan cricket
Field Marshal Asim Munir is an experienced officer, who has served in several important positions in his military life, including Director General Inter-Services Intelligence and Chief of Army Staff. He was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal on May 20, 2025. Federal Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi visited the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Sri Lankan High Commissioner Fred Sriveeratne and Minister of State Talal Chaudhry were also present. Mohsin Naqvi inspected the security arrangements and met the officials posted on duty. The Federal Interior Minister urged the law enforcement personnel to perform their duties with dedication. Mohsin Naqvi met the players of the Sri Lankan cricket team who were present for practice. The Federal Interior Minister thanked the Sri Lankan players individually for continuing their tour of Pakistan. He said that providing a safe environment to the guest players is the top priority of the government. Your security is our responsibility. Mohsin Naqvi said that your continued visit to Pakistan is the victory of peace and the defeat of terrorism. The entire Pakistan will always be indebted to your love and sincerity. The Pakistani nation will always remember this beautiful turn in the friendship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Mohsin Naqvi also met Pakistani players and watched a practice session. The Sri Lankan High Commissioner said that I have served in different countries but I consider Pakistan my second home. We are all satisfied with the security.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi says that the Sri Lankan board and players bravely decided to stay and play here. The Sri Lankan team was very concerned about staying here. The Sri Lankan President himself spoke to his team yesterday and persuaded them to play. Our Field Marshal himself spoke to the Sri Lankan Defense Minister and Secretary and reached a consensus. Our team was spoken to when Sri Lanka returned, all the concerns of the Sri Lankan team were removed.
Speaking during the Senate meeting, he said that the team was asked to be given box security.

The Federal Minister said that the Sri Lankan authority was assured that the Pakistan Army, Rangers and Police are handling security. The members of the Sri Lankan team are our state guests and we are giving them similar protocol and security. He said that the main accused in the Islamabad blast has been reached. The Islamabad attacker is from Afghanistan. The attacker in the Wana Cadet College attack is from Afghanistan. He is not stopping, he is supporting terrorists.Mohsin Naqvi said that it is becoming difficult for us as people from Afghanistan are coming here and attacking, our big target is to expel illegal Afghans. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that he is grateful to the Sri Lankan team for their decision to continue the tour of Pakistan. He said that the next two matches of the series will be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on November 14 and 16.
The players of the national cricket team have thanked the Sri Lankan team for always supporting the game. Welcoming Sri Lanka’s decision to tour Pakistan, Pakistanis are thanking the Sri Lankan team.
Information Minister Atta Tarar has thanked the Sri Lankan cricket team. In his statement released on the social networking website X, Atta Tarar said that he deeply thanks the Sri Lankan cricket team for coming to Pakistan.
The Information Minister said that he is grateful to the Sri Lankan team for always supporting the game of cricket, the presence of the Sri Lankan cricket team is an honor for us.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also thanked the Sri Lankan cricket team and said that he thanked the Sri Lankan team for coming to Pakistan and presenting a wonderful cricket game. Khawaja Asif said that our best wishes are with the Sri Lankan team.
Pakistan Super League (PSL) team Lahore Qalandars has also expressed gratitude to the Sri Lankan team for continuing their cricket tour. It should be noted that the inside story of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi’s meeting with the Sri Lankan cricket team has come to light. According to sources, the meeting between the PCB Chairman and the Sri Lankan cricket team lasted for 90 minutes. Mohsin Naqvi convinced the Sri Lankan cricket team to continue its tour of Pakistan.
Mohsin Naqvi removed all the reservations of the Sri Lankan team members and resolved every issue of the players in the best possible way. Mohsin Naqvi told the players that he would personally supervise the security of all the players and invited the families of the Sri Lankan players to come to Pakistan and watch the matches.
It should be noted that Sri Lanka is to play the remaining 2 ODI matches of the series against Pakistan and then a tri-nation series in Pakistan. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also changed the schedule of the tri-nation tournament. All matches of the series will now be held in Rawalpindi between November 18 and 29. Earlier, the series matches were to be held in Rawalpindi and Lahore from November 17 to 29. In addition to Pakistan, teams from Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe will participate in the tri-nation tournament. The decision to change the schedule was made in consultation with the participating boards based on operational reasons. Earlier, the PCB had also changed the schedule of the remaining two ODI matches against Sri Lanka. The second ODI will be on November 14 instead of 13 and the third ODI will be on November 16 instead of 15. The Sri Lankan cricket team decided to continue the tour of Pakistan. The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has instructed the players and management to continue the tour of Pakistan. The Sri Lankan Cricket Board said that if any player does not want to continue the tour, an alternative will be arranged. Sri Lankan players have been assured of security arrangements, the safety of the Sri Lankan Cricket Board, team and staff is our top priority. Earlier, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi had said in a meeting with Sri Lankan High Commissioner Fred Srivirathne that steps have been taken to ensure foolproof security for the Sri Lankan team, the team’s players are our state guests. Mohsin Naqvi said that providing a safe environment to the guest players is the government’s top priority. Pakistan defeated Sri Lanka by 6 runs in the first ODI after an exciting contest to take a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series. It should be noted that earlier, the Sri Lankan cricket team had requested its board to abandon the tour of Pakistan and return. It should be noted that in 2009, there was an attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team near the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, in which 6 Sri Lankan players were injured and 5 Pakistani policemen were martyred.The Sri Lankan cricket team was on a tour of Pakistan after the cancellation of their tour of India due to the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. The second Test match was declared a draw Federal Minister Nabil Gabol had alleged that India was behind the attacks
The attack took place on March 3, 2009, when the Sri Lankan team was on its way to the Gaddafi Stadium for the third day of the second Test match against the Pakistan cricket team. Six Sri Lankan players were injured and six Punjab Police personnel and a civilian were killed in a gunfight on Tuesday morning on a bus carrying the Sri Lankan cricket team to the stadium. The injured Sri Lankan players included Samara Weera, Ajantha Mendis, Kumar Sangakkara and Tharanga Paranawattana. One of the two players who were taken to the hospital was Samara Weera, who had scored a double century at the Gaddafi Stadium. Samara Weera was hit in the elbow while Paranawattana suffered some pellets in the chest. Sri Lankan players were on their way to Gaddafi Stadium in a bus when they were shot at. The Punjab Governor reached the scene after the shooting. The Lahore City Police Chief said that no attackers had been arrested. After the attack, masked gunmen stole a car and fled. At least eight Sri Lankan players were evacuated from Gaddafi Stadium by a Pakistani military helicopter. The Pakistan Cricket Board had already officially announced the cancellation of the Sri Lankan team’s tour.The fourth umpire of the match, Ahsan Raza, was seriously injured in the attack. The Sri Lankan team was flown from Lahore to the Gaddafi Stadium on a Pakistani military helicopter. Meanwhile, in Colombo, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa condemned the attack and ordered his foreign minister to immediately go to Pakistan to make arrangements to bring the team back. Khalil Ahmed, the driver of the bus taking the Sri Lankan team to the stadium, said that a grenade was thrown at his bus from the back near Liberty Chowk near the Gaddafi Stadium, which did not hit the bus. He said that after this, a masked attacker also threw a grenade from the front, which fell under the bus, but he increased the speed of the bus and the grenade exploded behind the bus. Khalil Ahmed said that during this time, firing started on the bus from all sides, in which according to him two players were injured. The number of attackers was between twelve and fifteen, who were firing at the bus from different sides. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but Pakistani officials alleged that it was carried out by an Indian proxy. The Sri Lankan team was immediately taken to the stadium and then sent back home.
The security of the team touring Pakistan has long been a topic of discussion, while in 2009, the Australian cricket team refused to tour Pakistan due to security concerns.

In May 2002, New Zealand immediately recalled its cricket team from Pakistan after a suicide attack outside the New Zealand cricket team’s hotel killed 12 people. The Sri Lankan cricket team also came to Pakistan to replace the Indian cricket team, who could not participate in the game due to the Mumbai attacks. The then President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the attacks. Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said, “I strongly condemn this cowardly act of terrorists. The Sri Lankan players went to Pakistan with good wishes. Pakistan Sri Lanka It should be recalled that on October 24, 2024, the Sri Lankan Air Force Commander met the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Sri Lankan Air Force Commander Raupa Rajapaksa visited the Joint Staff Headquarters. The Sri Lankan Air Force Commander met Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistani armed forces.Air Marshal Raupa Rajapaksa also praised Pakistan’s ongoing efforts for regional peace and stability. The meeting reaffirmed the commitment to enhance bilateral security and defense cooperation. Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza said that Pakistan attaches great importance to relations with Sri Lanka. Bilateral relations, especially security and defense cooperation, will be promoted. Commander Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Rajapaksa said that Pakistan’s continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region are commendable, while defense cooperation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is important for stability in the region.
General Sahir Shamshad Mirza and Air Marshal Rajapaksa discussed matters of mutual interest in the meeting. The Pakistan Army Spokesperson also said that the Commander Sri Lankan Air Force appreciated the sacrifices and professional skills of the Pakistan Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism. The ISPR further said that the Commander Sri Lankan Air Force also appreciated the role of the Pakistan Armed Forces for regional peace and security.
After the 2020 revolution, Sri Lanka built its friendship with Pakistan on new foundations and both countries proved that new doors of cooperation, development and peace can be opened in South Asia. The foundations of Pak-Sri Lanka relations are very deep. Diplomatic relations between the two were established soon after the establishment of Sri Lanka in 1948. Sri Lanka is among those countries that have provided full support and cooperation to Pakistan even in the most difficult times. Visits by the military and political leadership of both countries have strengthened mutual relations. Pakistan has played a major role in the great success of peace in Sri Lanka. Pakistan’s defense cooperation with Colombo and the provision of large-scale modern defense equipment played a significant role in the defeat of the Tamil Tigers of Tamil Eelam at the hands of the Sri Lankan army. Sri Lankan military officers still receive training from Pakistani institutions. In 1971, India banned the use of its airspace for East and West Pakistan. At that time, Sri Lanka provided airspace to West Pakistan, which greatly displeased the Delhi government, which is why it sponsored Tamil separatists to teach Sri Lanka a lesson. The visit of a Pakistani naval ship to Colombo this year and joint exercises with the Sri Lankan Navy and other active engagements are practical manifestations of this strong partnership. In addition, the enthusiastic participation of the Sri Lankan Navy in the Peace Exercise 2025 is evidence that the strategic partnership between the two countries is based on strong foundations.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka are active members of the SAARC organization, however, due to India’s traditional stubbornness, SAARC could not achieve its desired results. In order to expand bilateral trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, a free trade agreement was signed during Rajapaksa’s visit to Pakistan in 2006 so that goods as well as services could be included in the trade of the two countries. There is significant scope for trade, investment and partnership in various sectors of mutual interest, including textiles, construction materials, agro-processing and pharmaceutical industries, which is the need of the hour to take advantage of. Both countries have markets for each other’s primary products. Pakistan is an important market for Sri Lankan tea, where billions of rupees worth of tea are imported and consumed every year.
After 2020, Sri Lanka has emerged as an emerging education hub in South Asia. Which has also opened new educational avenues for Pakistani students. Sri Lankan universities are providing world-class education in the fields of medicine, engineering, business, IT and social sciences at a cheaper rate than Western countries, which is the best alternative for Pakistani students. The Sri Lankan government and private institutions are offering various scholarship programs for foreign students, especially Pakistanis. These include facilities like tuition fee concessions, hostel facilities and visa facilitation. If the government of Pakistan further strengthens the educational agreements between the two countries, thousands of Pakistani students can get world-class education at a low cost. Pakistani tourists are also highly respected in Sri Lanka. The rapid development of Sri Lanka’s tourism after 2020 has become an example for the entire region. The promotion of natural landscapes, coastal areas, historical heritage and religious tourism has made Sri Lanka prominent on the world map. Pakistan is trying to promote its tourism by learning from the Sri Lankan model, especially in marine tourism, relations are getting a new dimension. Tourism is not only a means of economic development but also a bridge to strengthen cultural ties. Indeed, Pakistan’s strategic and economic relations with Sri Lanka, the agreements signed between the two countries and their implementation will play an important role in determining the future path. The role of China, a common friend of both, is important in the strong Pak-Sri Lanka relations. This triangle of Pakistan, China and Sri Lanka will usher in a new era of regional cooperation and development in the region. Sri Lanka is a country with a very important strategic location right in the middle of the Indian Ocean, its geographical location is its great asset. Maintaining good relations with Pakistan and China has given Sri Lanka the added benefit of maintaining its independence in its foreign policy and expanding economic opportunities.