ISLAMABAD: Pakistan pledged on Wednesday to provide phased and ongoing aid to Sri Lanka, reaffirming Islamabad’s “regional responsibility” to support its close neighbor through relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction following a devastating cyclone.
The commitment came as Sri Lanka grapples with the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall on Nov. 28 and triggered floods and landslides that left at least 618 people dead, with hundreds still missing and more than two million displaced, officials say.
Pakistan’s Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry held meetings with Sri Lankan officials in Colombo where said Islamabad’s support would extend beyond immediate relief to long-term rebuilding and infrastructure development.
“Pakistan considers Sri Lanka not only a long-standing friend but a key regional partner, and will continue to support the country through every stage of recovery as it works to restore normalcy for affected communities,” he said, according to an official Pakistani statement.
Chaudhry told Sri Lankan authorities that Pakistani assistance would include relief supplies, rehabilitation projects and resilience-focused reconstruction.
He also noted the Pakistan Navy was participating in on-ground operations in affected areas.
The statement said Pakistan’s commitment was not a one-off gesture, but part of a “sustained regional responsibility” to stand by Sri Lanka during the crisis.
Beyond humanitarian efforts, both sides also discussed bolstering maritime coordination, disaster-response mechanisms and long-term collaboration on transport and infrastructure, measures they said would strengthen resilience against future climate-driven disasters.
