ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Thursday said that Pakistan believe in the viability of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to achieve the cherished goal of a prosperous and developed South Asia.
“I take this opportunity to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to the objectives of SAARC and our journey together towards achieving our shared objectives under its umbrella,” the Prime Minister said in his message on the 31st anniversary of SAARC and the 32nd SAARC Charter Day.
Nawaz Sharif said as its founding member, Pakistan stands steadfastly by the principles of the SAARC Charter and added that it was in manifestation of the same spirit that Pakistan had made all preparations for hosting the 19th SAARC Summit.
However, the postponement of the Summit has deprived our people, once more, of the prospects of development, prosperity and regional cooperation, he added.
He felicitated the SAARC member states and its citizens on the 31st Anniversary of the establishment of SAARC and the 32nd Anniversary of SAARC Charter Day.
“We celebrate, today, the spirit with which our leaders, entrusted by the people, worked towards the culmination of the SAARC Charter, and the subsequent establishment of SAARC,” he said.
The Prime Minister said more than three decades ago, they committed to engage in a collaborative regional effort, geared towards delivering on the promise of a better life for their people.
However he regretted that while SAARC had, albeit survived, it did not triumph as had been envisaged, falling behind on the commitments and the promises that we had set out to achieve progress and prosperity for the common people.
He expressed his sincere wishes for the happiness, harmony, peace and prosperity of people of South Asian region.
