World
'Pakistan Is Ready To Play Its Part For Revival Of SAARC': Shehbaz Sharif
PTI
Dec 09, 2022, 01:56 PM | Updated 01:56 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Islamabad, Dec 9 (PTI) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan is ready to play its part in revitalising the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to tap the vast potential of the region.
His remarks came on Thursday on the occasion of the SAARC Charter Day.
“SAARC Charter Day today is a reminder of the vast untapped potential of regional development, connectivity and cooperation among countries of South Asia,” Sharif tweeted.
He also said the people of SAARC countries were “victims of these missed opportunities” and added: “Pakistan is ready to play its part for revival of SAARC.”
SAARC's members include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The eight-member bloc has made little headway despite a lapse of more than two and half decades since its inception.
The rivalry between Pakistan and India is considered the main reason for stalling the process of greater cooperation among the members.
The 19th summit of the block scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2016 was postponed due to differences between the two neighbours.
India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to “prevailing circumstances” after a terror attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 that year.
The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the Islamabad meet.
(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without any modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.