Pakistan chose not to participate in a video conference of trade officials regarding the impact of Covid-19 arranged by India, with the Foreign Office saying the initiative did not involve the secretariat of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc).

"Activities such as today’s trade officials' video conference could only be effective if spearheaded by the Saarc Secretariat," the FO spokesperson said.

She said in order for the Saarc process to move forward, "the Saarc Secretariat must be enabled to play its due role in any event or activity being organised under Saarc auspices."

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