ISLAMABAD: On Thursday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) and indicated that the country was prepared to contribute to the rebirth of the eight-member regional organization, which appeared to be in decline.
PM Sharif recalled that the people of South Asia had suffered as a result of “missed opportunities” for regional development, connectivity, and cooperation in a tweet he published to commemorate Saarc Charter Day.
He stated that Pakistan is “ready to play its part for revival of Saarc.”
SAARC Charter Day today is a reminder of vast untapped potential of regional development, connectivity & cooperation among countries of South Asia. The people of SAARC countries are victims of these missed opportunities. Pakistan is ready to play its part for revival of SAARC.
Saarc has been hanging in the balance for the beyond six years as India has been obstructing the facilitating of its highest point by Pakistan.
The 19th summit was scheduled to take place in Pakistan in November 2016, but it was postponed by India, supported by its regional allies Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan.
Nepal hosted the previous summit in 2014.
Meanwhile, at the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch reminded the international community of the “undeniable proof” of Indian involvement in terrorism in Pakistan.
She said this during the first-ever meeting of India-Central Asia National Security Advisors, which was held in New Delhi and focused on counterterrorism collaboration.
It is ironic that India tries to portray itself as a leader in the fight against terrorism. She made the point that it has been well-documented and widely established that it played a role in encouraging terrorism in Pakistan.
