Saarc countries should join hands to eradicate poverty: Khurram Dastagir

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastagir Khan on Monday said Saarc nations should cooperate to eradicate poverty through trade without barriers. We must move from suspicious to facilitation attitude to achieve goal of prosperity, he added.

Khurram Dastagir Khan said this as chief guest at 30th SAARC Charter Day celebrations at a local hotel. He said that that history has divided us but common problems, threats and abundant resource in each member states should unite us, adding that, every one of us has to become an ambassador of for a peaceful, prosperous and connected South Asia.

Iftikhar Ali Malik, Vice President, SAARC CCI said that the recent signing of SAARC Framework Agreement for Energy Cooperation (Electricity) has given new ray of hope and a serious step forward towards regional connectivity.

He added that the private sector of the South Asia is quite confident that other two SAARC motor vehicle and railway agreements will soon be ratified by Pakistan.  “We are quite hopeful that implementation of these agreements in letter and spirit would promote regional connectivity.

Dr. T. C. A. Raghavan, High Commissioner of India said that deep integration in South Asia is imperative.  He said that it’s time for their implementation of agreements with true spirit. He expressed his disappointment on not signing of Multi model road agreement during recent SAARC summit.

Zuabir Ahmed Malik former FPCCI said let us recommit ourselves to strengthen SAARC to meet the growing expectations of our peoples.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Dr. Almut Besold, Resident Representative –FNF Pakistan, Janan Mosazai, Ambassador of Afghanistan in Pakistan, Suhrab Hossain High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Maj General Rtd Moosa Ali Jaleel, High Commissioner of Maldives, Tirtha Raj Aryal, Acting Ambassador of Nepal, Mrs. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, Minister Counsellor, High Commission of Sri Lanka, Mrs. Shaista Pervaiz Malik, MNA.