09 January 2005	Sunday	27 Ziqa'ad 1425

ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Ahmed Khan said on Saturday that all the member countries have somehow endorsed the proposed dates for holding Saarc Summit from Feb 7 to 9, but the Indian reply is still awaited.

"Bangladesh being the host country of 13th Saarc Summit meeting has proposed the dates from Feb 7 to 9," the spokesman told a local television.

He said Pakistan in the capacity of Saarc chairman has consulted the other member states in this connection.

Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar has made written and telephonic contacts with the foreign secretaries of the other member countries, he added.

He said Sri Lanka has approved the proposed dates while Nepal and Maldives have also given the messages that these dates are suitable for them.

Bhutan's position is that it will accept the dates approved by the other member countries, he added.

He said, the reply is now awaited from India adding as soon as a response is received by India, Pakistan will announce the final dates for Saarc Summit meeting.

To a question he said, schedule for Saarc Ministerial and Standing Committee meetings would of course be announced before the meeting of Summit.

"If the Summit meeting falls on the proposed dates then the meeting of ministerial council will most probably take place from Feb 5 to 6," he added.

To another question he said, if India do not endorses the proposed dates, the other member countries would be approached by Pakistan for consultation.-APP