ISLAMABAD: Nepal has formally extended an invitation to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to attend the 18th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) to be held in Kathmandu this November.

The invitation was delivered by visiting Foreign Minister of Nepal Mahendra Bahadur Panday when he called on the premier at the Prime Minister House on Thursday (today).

The prime minister said that apart from strengthening bilateral relations with Nepal, Pakistan was particularly keen to promote Saarc activities in partnership with Kathmandu. Resolution of disputes between Saarc countries is important for the regional organisation's progress and Nepal could play its due role in this regard, he said.

It was acknowledged in the meeting that Saarc plays a vital role in developing economic partnerships with major countries within the region, which was also essential for the organisation's growth.

The prime minister wished Nepal success in the upcoming summit and said Pakistan was keen to be a part of it. The premier said Pakistan wanted to nurture closer economic and cultural relations between the two countries.

He also said that bilateral trade between Pakistan and Nepal was not reflective of the two countries' political ties. Prime Minister Sharif emphasised on the need for institutional mechanisms such as Pak-Nepal Joint Economic Commission to be made more effective.