SAARC secretary general to arrive in Pakistan on maiden visit

ISLAMABAD: Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Esala Ruwan Weerakoon will arrive in Pakistan on Dec 22, Wednesday on a three-day visit.

This is his maiden visit to the country since he assumed the office in March 2020, a spokesperson for the Foreign Office said in a statement.

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The secretary general will call on Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi beside meetings with other high officials.

“The visit is an opportunity to reiterate Pakistan’s commitment to the objectives and principles of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, share our perspective on various aspects of cooperation with South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, and highlight Pakistan’s efforts for promotion of peace, security and development in the region,” the spokesperson said.

“As a founding member of SAARC, Pakistan is fully resolved to advancing the objectives of the organization as enshrined in its Charter, and has always played an active role in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation processes and activities.”

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The spokesperson said Pakistan has contributed significantly to the realisation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation objectives of cooperation, mutual trust, economic integration and social and cultural development in the region.