Pakistan seeks cooperation with countries in South Asia

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir represented Pakistan at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation's (SAARC) standing committee meet held at Addu Atoll in Maldives Monday.

Pakistan believes that SAARC must lead the way and act as a catalyst for South Asia’s socio economic transformation, Bashir said and added that the economic potential of the region was enormous, reported Associated Press of Pakistan. He said Asia as a whole was surging ahead economically and South Asia must try to become an important pillar for global economic growth.  It was important that differences and disputes that had held back regional cooperation be resolved.

SAARC should consider establishing dialogue partnership with interested states and Pakistan welcomed China’s interest in an interactive partnership with SAARC, APP reported.

Pakistan suggested that moratorium on expansion of Observers be lifted and supported Turkey’s request for becoming an Observer.  The prime ministers of Pakistan and India are expected to meet on the margins of the summit that begins Nov 10.