Summary Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif officially inaugurated the SAARC meeting.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – While officially inaugurating the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) session in Islamabad today (Thursday), Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called for joint efforts to root out corruption and terrorism in the South Asian region.
The Prime Minister said that SAARC countries are playing an effective role in the region.
He said at national level, Pakistan has made remarkable gains against terrorism through operation Zarb-e-Azb and effective implementation of National Action Plan.
These reflect the Pakistan’s determination to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from our soil for good, he said.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan shares the perception that connectivity is critical to the progress and prosperity of the region and supports, in principle, road, air, rail and water connectivity within the region.
He said realization of the goals and objectives envisaged in SAARC charter is our collective responsibility.
SAARC CONFERENCE UNDERWAY
Interior Ministers from seven Saarc countries, minus Bangladesh, are attending the meeting at a local five-star hotel to discuss the issues pertaining to terrorism, drugs and human trafficking and regional affairs.
Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh is also attending the conference. He, however, will not hold a one-on-one meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Chaudhry Nisar, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
The Saarc group includes Pakistan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The platform aims to boost ties and cooperation between member states.
CHAUDHRY NISAR’S REMARKS
Earlier today in his welcome address, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan urged the regional countries to collectively work for promoting good governance and combating challenges faced by the region.
He said SAARC since its last conference has made major head ways to deal with issues of peace, stability, transnational organized crimes and human trafficking.
Nisar pointed out that the South Asian region is faced with a number of daunting challenges and threats like militancy, terrorism, social injustice, corruption and organized crimes.
These are the issues that have hindered our socio economic development, he added.
He said the South Asian region shares similar and common borders and they collectively need to create such an environment that is free from violence.
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