ISLAMABAD: Lack of goodwill and absence of proper communication between them have kept member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) from achieving their common goals, said National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Sunday.

Addressing inaugural session of the Seventh Conference of the Association of Saarc Speakers and Parliamentarians in Male, Maldives, Mr Sadiq remarked: “The multiple deficits of information, communication and goodwill in this age of globalisation have hindered the optimum realisation of our common dreams.”

According to a message received here, he said that through enhanced people-to-people contact, expanded trust base and renewed spirit of partnership the desired goals could be achieved.

“As parliamentarians, we must exploit our role for our combined benefit. It is our duty to build bridges and not create divisions,” he added.

Maldivian President Yaamin Abdul Gayoom was the chief guest on the occasion.

Mr Sadiq attended the ceremony as chief of a six-member delegation of Pakistani legislators.—APP