ISLAMABAD: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will attend the Pakistan Day military parade in the capital on Friday as a guest of honor, at the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Mamnoon Hussain.
Sirisena’s participation “is a demonstration of the very close ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and the respect in which the people and leadership of Pakistan hold the president of Sri Lanka,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said. Egypt’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam will also attend the parade.
The annual Pakistan Day marks the passing of a resolution in 1940 for a nation for Muslims separate from India.
This year, for the first time Emirati and Jordanian military contingents will participate. Last year, Saudi troops took part for the first time.
Sri Lankan president guest of honor on Pakistan Day
Sri Lankan president guest of honor on Pakistan Day
