RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry Senior Vice President (SVP) and business leader Iftikhar Ali Malik Wednesday said Pakistan always strived to make SAARC an important vehicle for regional cooperation based on principle of sovereign equality and still remained committed to SAARC objectives.

Talking to media here today, Malik said as a founding member, Pakistan has played important role in efforts aimed at realizing objectives of the SAARC and it also expects serious and sincere response by the member countries especially from India, to explore its true potential for development of the region’s economy and for its prosperity.

According to him, SAARC possesses immense potential for strengthening economies of member countries and to promote collaboration in various areas of mutual significance. “SAARC should continue to strive for achieving economic, cultural and social growth of the region,” he said.

Iftikhar Malik said Pakistan welcomed Chinese offer of trilateral dialogue to help de-escalate tension between India and Pakistan but it was rejected by the Indian government on the ground that Kashmir and other issues between Pakistan and India is bilateral issue and no other country can be allowed to interfere in this matter.

Malik expressed optimism that cooperation in member states of SAARC will help promote trade and improve quality of life of our people, who accounted for 1/5th of the world’s population.