Colombo: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has assured Sri Lanka that there will be no change in his country's policy of fully supporting the Island nation in its war against terrorism.

Despite formation of a new government in Pakistan, there will be no changes in the country's attitude towards Sri Lanka's problem of terrorism, Musharraf told his counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday in the sidelines of Boao Forum for Asia meet being held at China's Hainang Island.

There was an immediate need to expand the scope of Free Trade Agreement between the countries, Musharraf said.

The bilateral trade between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is estimated at over 250 million dollars annually. The two countries have doubled their trade within one year since the inception of the trade agreement in July 2005.

On his part, Rajapaksa urged investors to tap the full potential for investment in the Island country by utilising the free trade agreement. He also briefed Musharraf about the government's programme to eradicate terrorism, a government website reported.

The Sri Lanka President also held discussions with new Pakistan Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukthar.
Source : PTI