Pakistan Sri Lanka Business Forum has called upon the government to openly and forcefully support the candidature of Mr Jayantha Dhanapala, former Under-Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs of United Nations, Head of the Sri Lankan Peace Secretariat, and a distinguished and worldwide acclaimed diplomat from Colombo, as the next Secretary General of the United Nations.

The Forum, in its recent meeting, stressed the fact that since it is the turn of Asia, since Sri Lanka is a SAARC member, since Sri Lanka has been an avowed and strong supporter of Pakistan at many forums, and since there should be harmony and unanimity of views among the regional nations, it is imperative that his candidature must be endorsed.

The Forum also asserted that Mr Dhanapala has made a deep impression with his sincerity of purpose, and his chairmanship of an historic conference on disarmament captured universal appreciation. He is an erudite and well respected scholar also. He is renowned as a diplomat of the highest standing and he has always maintained a balanced and realistic approach towards global issues. The role of the United Nations would become highly crucial in the coming years, especially with respect to contentious issues related to nuclear disarmament, tackling border disputes that are termed flashpoints and sensitive, and radically transforming the image of the organization.

The Forum members further added that the SAARC region is considered as the most active and vibrant and therefore the presence of a South Asian Secretary General at the helm of affairs in the United Nations would amplify the importance of the people of this region. At the same time, it would be an honor for this region as well as for the world, when Mr Jayantha Dhanapala is elected as the next Secretary General. Pakistan should be in the forefront in canvassing for him and in ensuring his election through formidable and intensified lobbying among the UN members.

Presented for favorable publication in your esteemed publication.

ATHAR AHMED