Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Photo: Geo News file

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday said Pakistan attaches great importance to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and is committed to the principles and objectives of its Charter. 

In a speech during his visit to the SAARC Secretariat, Abbasi said Pakistan has always strived to make SAARC a vibrant vehicle for regional cooperation based on the principle of sovereign equality.

He also noted that SAARC had immense potential for strengthening the economies of the member countries and promoting collaboration in various areas of mutual significance. 

He emphasized that the organisation needed to continue to strive in achieving the economic, cultural and social growth of the region. He stressed the need for an increased level of connectivity among the SAARC member states for a prosperous region. 

Abbasi said that Pakistan, at all meetings of the SAARC, had advanced its belief that a secure and peaceful environment in South Asia was crucial for the advancement of region's development and prosperity.

He said that as the host of the next SAARC summit, Pakistan looks forward to convening the summit at an early date and assured that the country would play a positive role in further strengthening regional cooperation. 

The Secretary-General SAARC Amjad Hussain B. Sial said Pakistan was playing an important role in SAARC and has previously hosted two summits. He said that holding SAARC summits means renewing impetus amongst the member states. 

Later, Abbasi planted a sapling of pine in the premises of the SAARC Secretariat.