ISLAMABAD, Jan 4: Leaders of the Saarc called on President at the Aiwan-i-Sadr on Saturday evening. Welcoming the South Asian leaders, the President expressed the hope that they were having a pleasant stay in Islamabad during the Saarc conference.

The president wished them a comfortable stay during the Saarc conference. They thanked the president for the warm hospitality being extended to them. Later, the president hosted a banquet in honour of the Saarc leaders. Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali was also present.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Nepalese Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa, Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Prime Minister of Bhutan Jigme Yaeser Thinley attended the banquet.-APP