ISLAMABAD, March 26: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Secretary-General Chenkyab Dorji on Saturday appreciated Pakistan?s role in rejuvenating the seven-member regional grouping and called for the need to sustain the momentum. He was talking to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar. Mr Dorji, who assumed the office of Saarc secretary-general early this month, is here to pay courtesy calls on Pakistan?s leadership. The secretary-general lauded Pakistan?s role as chairperson of Saarc, especially its endeavours to reinvigorate the body during 12th Saarc Summit. He was of the view that the Saarc Secretariat in Kathmandu should be strengthened, and requested for support of the member states in this regard.

Mr Bakhtiar felicitated Mr Dorji on assumption of the office of Saarc secretary-general and assured him of Pakistan?s full support in performing his duties.

He said Pakistan attached great importance to Saarc and would like to see it mature into a dynamic and result-oriented organization.

However, the minister expressed disappointment at the postponement of Saarc Summit and said there was a need to collectively review the whole procedure to avoid frequent postponements.

He assured the Saarc secretary-general of Pakistan?s full support for his initiative to strengthen the organization.

Referring to the prime minister?s vision for Saarc, Mr Bakhtiar proposed various steps including establishment of a Saarc Poverty Alleviation Fund, an Asia-wide early warning and disaster response regime, and instituting the Saarc Ministerial Troika Group.?APP