President Alvi pushes for a ‘dispute-free South Asia’

ISLAMABAD: In his message to mark the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation’s (SAARC) 34th Charter Day on Friday, Pakistan’s President Arif Alvi said that it was his desire to see South Asia as a dispute-free and peaceful region.
“It is my vision for our region to be a dispute-free South Asia, where we jointly fight poverty, illiteracy, disease, malnutrition, and unemployment,” he said.
SAARC was established in Dhaka on December 8, 1985, by signing a charter. It comprises eight countries or member states, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
“Over the years, SAARC has made notable strides in various fields of intra-regional cooperation,” President Alvi said, adding that the SAARC Charter Day is to renew our commitment “to the cherished goals of the organization”.
“This is the platform, which can help realize our dreams of alleviating poverty, creating socio-economic parity, empowering women and giving a prosperous, peaceful and progressive future to our region,” he said.
“The objectives of the association as outlined in the charter are to promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life; to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region,” a statement by SAARC said on its website.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry hosted a ceremony to commemorate the day, with Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua as the chief guest for the occasion which was attended by representatives from member and observer states, and regional bodies.
“Pakistan remains committed to the principles of the SAARC charter. Many promises made by the leadership of SAARC since its inception remain unfulfilled. Collective efforts are required for the fulfillment of those promises,” the Foreign Ministry Spokesman said in a tweet.