MANSEHRA, April 27: Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Pakistan Air Chief Marshal (r) Jaylath Werakkody on Friday said South Asia, the most important region in the world, was plagued by corruption, terrorism and poverty.
“No doubt, South Asia is known for its ancient treasures, culture and history but corruption, terrorism and poverty is a big hurdle to its prosperity and development,” he said at a function hosted by the Hazara University administration for a Sri Lankan delegation.
Mr Werakkody blamed most of the challenges faced by South Asian nations on low literacy rate and said if locals were not provided with quality education, then the region would never prosper.
He said he would discuss with his government the support and cooperation to Pakistan for preservation and exploration of its ancient sites.
The high commissioner said there were many ancient Buddhist sites in Pakistan, especially in Taxila and Mansehra, and it was one of the many reasons that Sri Lankan people love their Pakistani brothers and sisters.
He said student and teacher exchange programme between Hazara University and Sri Lankan universities would contribute to the strengthening of relations between of the two countries.
Later, Hazara University vice chancellor Dr Syed Sakhawat Shah and chairman of the conservation studies department Safdar Khan thanked Sri Lankan delegates for the visit.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-i-Islami on Friday demanded enforcement of Islamic law in the country, saying it’s the only way to end the current serious political and socioeconomic crises.
“The prevalent system of justice is faulty to the benefit of the ruling elite. If Shariah (Islamic law) is enforced in the country, only then the ruling elite could be made accountable for its misdeeds,” JI Mansehra chief Dr Tariq Sherazi told a public meeting here.
He said outlaws were escaping punishment due to the flawed system, which needed to be replaced with Shariah.
Meanwhile, the education department will give away prizes and certificates to high-achievers of government schools in Mansehra, said senior official Umar Khan Kundi on Friday.
“We want to honour students of government schools for good performance as is being done by private schools,” he said, adding that a big ceremony was being organised in Mansehra to give away prizes, trophies and certificates to top three male and female schoolchildren in the district.