A delegation of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Executive Committee (CEC) led and coordinated by General (retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi visited the Sri Lankan High Commission on Monday, to convey their condolences and express solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka over the tragic Sialkot incident.
The delegation on behalf of the people of Pakistan and the PTI leadership conveyed their heartfelt grief over the tragic incident. They conveyed condolences to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner Vice Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama, the victim’s family and the people of Sri Lanka.
The delegation strongly condemned the brutal incident that occurred on the soil of Pakistan, and assured of their full support. They said that the elements responsible for the Sialkot incident would be taken to task and no leniency would be shown in this regard, as every Pakistani shared the pain of the aggrieved family.
The delegation members said, “We are speechless and shocked over the violence by the vigilantes, who will be punished. This is not the mind set of Pakistani people, rather a few miscreants carried this nerveless crime.”
The Sri Lankan high commissioner said it was shocking to see the brutal attack on Priyantha Diyawadana by the extremist mob.
“However, we are happy that the government of Pakistan and Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken stringent action against the culprits involved in the incident,” the ambassador said. He said that already a number of culprits have been rounded up and were behind bars.
Ambassador Wijewickrama said 99 per cent of Pakistanis have expressed their condolences and sympathies with the Sri Lankan victim’s family.
“This incident will not affect bilateral ties between the two friendly countries,” he said, adding that the relationship between the two countries dates back to the independence of Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The high commissioner said that, “We are very confident that this particular incident will be handled by the government and justice will be provided to the victim’s family and children.”
He thanked the delegation for expressing condolence with the people of Sri Lanka and the victim’s family.
The PTI delegation comprised Shahid Yusuf, Sulaiman Malik, Shunila Ruth, Lieutenant General (retd) Naeem Lodhi, Musadaq Ghuman, Raja Mansoor Khan, Brig Samson Simon Sharaf, Arshad Dad (head of delegation), Colonel (retd) Amanullah, Nilofar Bakhtyar and Dr Talat Anwar.
The tragic incident happened on Friday when some factory workers attacked the Sri Lankan manager and killed him. The prime minister took serious note of the tragedy and directed to not spare even a single person responsible for the horrific attack.
The police have since arrested over 130 people and identified the main perpetrators, who will be tried under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
