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 says defense pact with Saudi Arabia elevated brotherly ties to ‘new heights’
- Pakistan, Saudi Arabia signed strategic defense pact last year pledging aggression against one will be treated as attack on both
- Deputy PM Ishaq Dar says enduring bonds with Islamic and Arab nations form vital pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said on Wednesday that Pakistan’s defense pact with Saudi Arabia elevated its brotherly ties with the Kingdom to “new heights,” stressing that close ties with Arab and Islamic nations form a key pillar of Islamabad’s foreign policy.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement on Sept. 17 last year, pledging that aggression against one country would be treated as an attack on both, enhancing joint deterrence and formalizing decades of military and security cooperation.
Both nations agreed in October 2025 to launch an economic cooperation framework to strengthen trade and investment ties.
“In the Middle East, our landmark Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement with Saudi Arabia has elevated our brotherly ties to new heights,” Dar said while speaking at the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 event in Islamabad.
The Pakistani deputy prime minister was speaking on the topic “Navigating International Relations Amidst Changing Geo-Politics.”
Dar noted that Pakistan has reinforced partnerships with other Middle Eastern nations such as the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Oman, Egypt and Bahrain. He said these partnerships have yielded “concrete agreements” in investment, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
“Our enduring bonds with Islamic and Arab nations form a vital pillar of our foreign policy, and we will continue to expand our partnerships across Asia, Latin America, and Africa,” he said.
Dar pointed out that the presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have undertaken visits to Pakistan in recent months, reflecting Central Asian nations’ desire to boost cooperation with Islamabad.
On South Asia, the Pakistani deputy PM said Pakistan has successfully transformed its fraternal ties with Bangladesh into “a substantive partnership.”
“Similarly, the trilateral mechanism involving China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh has been launched with a view to expanding and deepening regional cooperation and synergy,” the Pakistani minister said.
He said Islamabad has strengthened its “all-weather” partnership with China via the second phase of the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor agreement and “unwavering support” from both sides for each other’s core interests.
Dar said Pakistan had also reinvigorated its partnership with the US, advancing cooperation in trade, technology, investment, and regional stability.
“This calibrated approach has enhanced our ability to navigate complexity with skill and confidence, ensuring that our national interests are served without compromising our core foreign policy principles,” he said.
