ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday congratulated the governments and people of all member states on the 40th anniversary of the SAARC Charter, calling for renewed commitment to peace, development and shared prosperity in South Asia.
In a message marking the occasion, the prime minister said the day served as a reminder of the region’s collective aspiration to work together for stability and progress. He noted that SAARC was founded four decades ago to promote dialogue, strengthen cooperation and build durable ties among regional countries.
Sharif said that although regional political dynamics had hindered the organization from fully achieving its founding goals, the SAARC Secretariat continued to play a constructive role by facilitating cooperation and creating opportunities for meaningful engagement among member states.
He stressed that economic integration, digital connectivity and people-to-people links had become more important than ever, adding that South Asian nations must work jointly to enhance trade, investment, innovation and cultural exchange.
The prime minister warned that the region faced shared challenges, including poverty, climate-induced disasters, food and energy insecurity and public health threats — issues that transcended borders and required collective action grounded in trust and goodwill.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the principles and objectives of the SAARC Charter, Sharif said genuine cooperation based on sovereign equality, mutual respect and positive engagement was essential to unlocking South Asia’s vast potential.
He urged member states to renew their resolve to build a peaceful, stable and prosperous South Asia founded on cooperation, connectivity and the collective well-being of its people.
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