Pakistan ready to play its part for revival of SAARC: Pakistan PM

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said Pakistan is ready to play its part for the revival of The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

In a tweet on the SAARC Charter Day being observed on Thursday, he said the day is a reminder of the vast untapped potential of regional development, connectivity and cooperation among countries of South Asia. He said the people of SAARC countries are victims of these missed opportunities.

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.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) December 8, 2022

The SAARC Charter Day is observed every year on December 8 and this year marks the 38th anniversary of the association.

On this day in 1985, the SAARC Charter was adopted in Dhaka, Bangladesh, during the first summit of the group.

The charter was signed by the leaders of eight South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The objectives outlined in the SAARC Charter include promoting the welfare of South Asians and improving their quality of life as well as accelerating economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region.

It is pertinent to note that Islamabad was to host the SAARC summit in November 2016 but because of tensions between India and Pakistan, New Delhi had boycotted the conference.

Since then, the summit could not take place as under the SAARC charter meeting of the heads of government cannot be held if any of the members stay away.

Earlier this year, however, Pakistan had reiterated its invitation to India and other members of the SAARC for the next summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad, saying New Delhi could join the moot virtually if it does not want to be present in person.