French Ambassador Marc Barety visited Pakistani Minister of Information and Broadcasting Mr. Fawad Chaurdhary on Friday. He informed the Pakistani Information Minster that French Government has been working on relaxing the travel advisory for French nationals to travel Pakistan. This move can be considered as token of appreciation for betterment in law and security in Pakistan. Both the ministers agreed on amplifications in the fields of education, trade, economy, culture and education. Mr. Fawad Chaaudhry mentioned the French Ambassador that Pakistan regards its relationship with France as Valuable and Important and wants to increase cordial relations. The Pakistani Minister asked the Ambassador for providence of scholarships to Pakistani students especially in field of Mass-Communication. He also invited French film makers to visit Pakistan and explore it’s beautiful sites. The Minister also informed the French Ambassador about the new government’s vision of establishing a media University to give rise to mass communication education in Pakistan. This University will be a merger of Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan academies. Both of these academies will work together in sharing their expertise for technical and creative education and training to the students of the University. The French Ambassador appreciated the idea. He ensured that France will cooperate with Pakistan in all the possible ways, in making film making and documentary industry of Pakistan developed. The Ambassador invited Pakistani film makers and Documentary makers to attend Cannes Film Festival (held in France annually) and show case their work. The Cannes Film Festival is highly sought after festival among the international media. Film makers and documentary makers from all over the world show case their work in Cannes Film festival for larger exposure and appreciation. Pakistani films and documentaries also have been show cased in Cannes but not with support of Pakistani Government.

Pakistani and Sri Lankan Higher Education Cooperation Program

High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hashmat and Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Tilak Marapana held a meeting on 9 October at Ministry Of foreign Affairs. The matters of mutual interest were discussed and cooperation on various fields was decided to be enhanced. Both the South Asian countries have been cooperating in the fields of economics, trade, business, security, education, nuclear energy deal, agriculture, health, sports and culture. After the terror attack of 2009, Sri Lanka Cricket team was the first to arrive in Pakistan to encourage international cricket in Pakistani grounds in 2017.Pakistan and Sri-Lanka both value their relationship and look forward to increase cooperation in fields of mutual interest. In the meeting, Pakistan-Sri Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme was discussed. Under this programme , the Sri-Lankan students will be provided with scholarships to study in Pakistan. These scholarships will cover multitude of courses in Pakistani universities. The establishment ofPak- Sri Lanka COMSATS University and Taxila, Gandhara Civilization Studies Centre is under discussion between the two countries. Noordeen Mohamed Shahied, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner-designate to Pakistan also attended the meeting.