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.
President Alvi pushes for a ‘dispute-free South Asia’
President Alvi pushes for a ‘dispute-free South Asia’
- SAARC countries need to jointly fight poverty, illiteracy, disease, malnutrition, and unemployment, he reiterates
- Several promises made by group’s leadership remain unfulfilled, Foreign Secretary says
Pakistan expands crypto engagement with appearance at Mar-a-Lago finance forum
- Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Chairman Bilal bin Saqib attends World Liberty Financial event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate
- Discussions focused on future of global financial infrastructure, digital assets, stablecoins, capital markets innovation, says Saqib’s office
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Chairman and Minister of State Bilal bin Saqib joined global finance leaders at an event hosted by World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture linked to US President Donald Trump’s family, Saqib’s office said on Thursday.
The event was hosted by World Liberty Financial, a crypto-based finance platform launched in September 2024 linked to Trump’s family. According to Saqib’s office, the gathering was held at Mar-a-Lago, the private estate and club owned by Trump in Florida.
Speakers and attendees at the event included David Solomon, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, Adena Friedman, chairperson and CEO of Nasdaq as well as Lynn Martin, president of the New York Stock Exchange, Saqib’s office said. The event was organized and hosted by Eric Trump and American businesspersons Zach Witkoff and Alex Witkoff.
“Discussions focused on the future of global financial infrastructure, digital assets, stablecoins, capital markets innovation and the evolving relationship between regulation and emerging financial technologies,” the statement said.
It said Saqib’s attendance at the event reflected Pakistan’s growing engagement with global discussions shaping the next phase of financial and technological transformation.
“As Pakistan moves toward modernizing its financial infrastructure and strengthening its position in the global digital economy, such high-level engagements signal increasing international recognition of the country’s regulatory direction and leadership,” the statement added.
Last month, Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding with a company affiliated with World Liberty Financial to explore the use of a dollar-linked stablecoin for cross-border payments.
Pakistan has stepped up efforts recently to regulate its digital asset sector and is exploring digital currency initiatives as part of broader measures to reduce cash usage.
