Pakistan's National Defence University delegation in Sri Lanka

An 18 member delegation from the National Defence University (NDU) of Pakistan is visiting Sri Lanka. The delegation comprises senior officers from Pakistan's Armed Forces and Civil Services as well as officers from Malaysia, Germany, Turkey and Nigeria who are undergoing a National Security and War Course at NDU, a Pakistan High Commission release said.

The delegation is led by Brig Akhtar Jammil Rao. The Defence Advisor of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Colonel Sheryar Pervaiz Butt is conducting the visit for the delegation, the release said. The one week visit which started on April 16 aims to gain an overview of the defence, economic, domestic and foreign policies of Sri Lanka and to explore areas of mutual interest for enhancing mutual cooperation in various spheres. The delegates interacted with a number of prominent personalities from the Sri Lankan Armed Forces and civil institutions including Chief of Defence Staff, acting Governor Central Bank, Commanders of the Air Force and Navy and the Foreign Secretary.

The delegates will also visit Jaffna, Trincomalee and Central Province. The Sri Lankan Chapter of Pakistan's National Defence University Alumni Association was launched last month in Colombo during the visit of Pakistan's Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Khalid Shameem Wynne, NI (M). The NDU is the premier institution of Pakistan, catering for the needs of senior leadership from various segments of the society, both domestic and international, in comprehending security issues and policy, strategy formulation. The NDU is a centre of excellence in academic and research pursuits in diversified disciplines providing well thought out inputs on national security at strategic level.

The university imparts higher education in policy and strategy formulation at various tiers with emphasis on national security and defence, and act as a national think tank.