Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif calls for a dispute-free South Asia

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaj Sharif has called on the SAARC member states to fight common problems of poverty, illiteracy and malnourishment instead of fighting against each other.

“My vision for our region is a dispute-free South Asia,” he said, addressing the 18th summit at Kathmandu on Wednesday.

He said all countries of the region should jointly combat poverty, illiteracy, disease, malnourishment and unemployment.

He said Pakistan attached “high importance” to SAARC and epitomised aspirations of the peoples of the region for peace, progress and prosperity.

“SAARC must capture the dream of our people,” he said.

The relations between India and Pakistan matter to the prospect of SAARC outcomes.

Even as ministers of SAARC countries were doing the groundwork to sign road and railway connectivity and energy cooperation deals, Pakistan blocked them, saying their internal processes were still pending.

However, Sharif spoke highly of SAARC’s role for the region.

He said his country stood with the people in enhancing the cause of regional cooperation.

“The theme of the 18th SAARC Summit 'Deeper Integration for Peace and Prosperity’ is most appropriate,” he said.

“It reflected our common desire for promoting mutual understating and reaching out to each other to create a win-win scenario.”

“We must, therefore, place people at the centre of the SAARC process,” he said. “SAARC must capture the imagination of our people”.

He said the creation of strong and mutually beneficial bonds could contribute immensely towards creating “trust surplus” among member states.

He said all South Asian states were vibrant democracies now and called all “old and new democracies join hands to make our region peaceful and prosperous”.

He also stressed sharing the best practices and institutional linkages.

Sharif also pointed out the need for cross border information sharing and the need for early flood forecasting system in the region.

“In pursuing the goals of SAARC, action plan is needed for the elimination of poverty, scientific development and dispute-free South Asia”.

He also stressed the importance of the role of SAARC observers.

China is one of the nine SAARC observers which is pursuing for a more active role in the regional group. China and Pakistan enjoy strategic relations.

Sharif also stressed the need to unleash the talent of the youth and their creativity for the betterment of the SAARC region.