ISLAMABAD, Nov 2: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Thursday Pakistan was committed to the spirit of South Asia Free Trade Agreement (Safta) to increase economic cooperation and to boost trade among Saarc member states.

Talking to former President of Sri Lanka Chandrika Bandaranika Kamartunga who called on him at the Prime Minister House, Mr Shaukat said Pakistan considered Saarc an important organisation to promote regional cooperation, trade, peace, prosperity and harmony in South Asia for which the association should be further energised to help the member states leverage the true potential of the region.

Mrs Chandrika is visiting Pakistan to attend the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIFE) and advise Pakistan on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of earthquake affected areas and implementation on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as senior Adviser for Unesco.

“Pakistan considers Sri Lanka an important member of Saarc and the two countries have stood by each other in difficult times,” the premier said and added that the two countries enjoyed excellent relations and hold similar views on a number of regional and international issues.

The premier said Pakistan received overwhelming response to the World Islamic Forum (WIEF). “The forum will promote business and economic activities by creating necessary linkages between the business communities around the world,” he added.

He said the WIFE would also create a true image of the country around the world as important leaders, intellectuals and professionals belonging to different walks of life would also attend it.

Mrs Chandrika appreciated Pakistan for arranging the WIEF and said it would prove to be an excellent forum for promoting business activities. The WIEF has the potential to introduce new ideas and concepts in the Muslim world and will generate a spirit of modernisation and innovative ideas, she added.