Pakistan fully committed to SAARC charter – Sharif tells PM

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says Pakistan wished to see South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) a vibrant regional organisation and was fully committed to the principles and objectives of the SAARC charter.

Talking to his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe in Davos, the prime minister said that Pakistan strongly wants peace and cooperation in South Asia.

The Pakistani Prime Minister said that security and stability are vital for eradication of poverty and development of the area. He said Pakistan wants friendly relations with all the regional countries. He said Islamabad wishes people of the regional countries should reap fruit of regional cooperation.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan gives immense importance to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and is determined to achieve all the objectives in light of its charter.
He said SAARC should be a viable forum for regional cooperation.

He said Pakistan believed that Saarc could not be replaced with BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).

The Prime Minister said Pakistan wants to resolve all longstanding disputes, including Kashmir issue, with India through comprehensive dialogue. He said Indian occupied forces are committing atrocities on the people of Kashmir, Pakistani media reported today. 

Sharif said India is increasing tension along the Line of Control to divert world attention from Kashmir issue. He said the people of Kashmir should be given their birth right to self-determination as promised with them in UN resolutions.

Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with Sri Lanka, which have deepened with the passage of time.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister expressed the desire to increase cooperation with Pakistan in the fields of defense and trade. He called for taking steps to increase bilateral trade. 

-Agencies