KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday said Pakistan attached great importance to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) and remained committed to its objectives.
In a speech during his visit to the Saarc Secretariat here to plant a tree, Abbasi said Pakistan had always strived to make Saarc a vibrant vehicle for regional cooperation based on the principle of sovereign equality. The Saarc had immense potential for strengthening the economies of the member countries and promoting collaboration in various areas of mutual significance. He emphasized that the organisation needed to work towards achieving economic, cultural and social growth of the region. He stressed connectivity among Saarc member states for the cause of a prosperous region.
He said Pakistan had advanced its belief that a secure and peaceful environment in South Asia was crucial for the advancement of region?s prosperity. He said as host of the next Saarc summit, Pakistan looked forward to convening the summit at an early date and assured that the country would play a positive role in strengthening regional cooperation.
Later, in a meeting with his Nepalese counterpart Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, both the leaders laid focus the on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and China?s One Belt One Road (OBOR) project which was joined by Nepal in 2016. Abbasi said the CPEC was a significant part of the OBOR and resulted in materializing several development projects in the country including motorways, Gwadar airport, economic free zones and energy generation projects. He said the CPEC would ensure connectivity of regional countries with China and all Central Asian states.On the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, Abbasi said the project was not confined to gas supply only but was a flagship venture which included road network, railway lines and laying of fibre optic. He said the parliament was an appropriate forum as democracy had been strengthened in Pakistan and was gaining roots in Nepal as well. He said the parliament in Pakistan was the second one in the country?s history that was going to complete its five-year term.
03-07-2018, 12:25 PM
Pakistan committed to Saarc objectives: PM
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