ISLAMABAD: Ongoing protests in the federal capital have forced postponement of Sri Lanka’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Pakistan.

“The visit has been postponed on our suggestion,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said.

Mr Rajapaksa was due in Pakistan on Thursday on a two-day visit.

Protests by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek have disrupted life in the capital and the government is pre-occupied with efforts aimed at defusing the situation.

The visit was announced earlier this month after the fourth round of foreign secretary-level political consultations between the two countries.

Colombo and Islamabad had decided to review the state of bilateral relations and identify potential areas for cooperation during the now postponed visit.

Pakistan has identified trade and economic relations as priority for ties with Sri Lanka.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2014