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LAHORE, Dec 08 (APP):Pakistan remained firmly committed to the principles and objectives of the SAARC Charter, emphasizing that genuine regional cooperation based on sovereign equality, mutual respect, and constructive engagement was essential for unlocking South Asia’s vast socio-economic potential.
SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry former president Iftikhar Ali Malik stated this, while talking to
reporters here Monday on the occasion of 40th anniversary of SAARC Charter Day, observed
on December 8.
He called upon SAARC member states to reaffirm their commitment to build a peaceful, stable, and prosperous South Asia defined by collaboration, connectivity, and a shared vision for the well-being of its peoples.
The day, he added, served as a reminder of the region’s shared aspirations for peace, progress, and prosperity. “As we commemorate the 40th anniversary of SAARC Charter Day, this auspicious occasion reminds us of our common goals and the collective future we seek to build,” he remarked.
Malik pointed out that South Asian nations faced several shared challenges, including poverty, climate-induced disasters, food and energy insecurity, and public health threats. These issues, he said, demanded collective responses rooted in trust, goodwill and cooperation.
He stressed that regional cooperation had become even more crucial in the modern era, highlighting the importance of economic, digital, and people-to-people connectivity. Enhanced linkages, he said, would facilitate trade, investment, innovation, and cultural exchange across the region.
Reflecting on SAARC’s inception four decades ago.The organization was envisioned as a vital platform to promote dialogue, foster cooperation, and strengthen bonds between the nations of South Asia, he added.