President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has been largely inactive for the past 11 years due to India’s non-participation, which he described as a major obstacle to effective regional cooperation.
Marking the 40th SAARC Charter Day, President Zardari extended greetings to the people and governments of the region, emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to cooperation-based regional frameworks.
He recalled that Islamabad hosted the fourth and twelfth SAARC summits, but the nineteenth summit in 2016 was postponed due to India’s absence. The president said this stagnation has unnecessarily delayed regional development and peace.
President Zardari also highlighted that Pakistan is exploring alternative regional frameworks, with potential participation from Iran and China, to strengthen regional connectivity. He stressed that Pakistan is ready to enhance trade, transit, and energy cooperation in South Asia.
“Regional problems are shared, and solutions should also be collective,” he said. “Mutual respect and cooperation can make the region more peaceful and prosperous.”
