Gilani calls for efforts to promote welfare of people of South Asia       
ISLAMABAD, Dec 8 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said need of the hour is to continue endeavors to build upon SAARC charter to promote welfare of people of South Asia in economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields. In a message on the occasion of 25th anniversary of the signing of the SAARC charter, he said: “it is a great pleasure for me to extend our very felicitations, on behalf of the people of Pakistan and my own behalf to the peoples and governments of the SAARC member states on the Silver Jubilee year of SAARC, which falls on December 8, 2010.”
He said Pakistan joins other SAARC member states in celebrating this important landmark in the history of the organization.
He said: “the occasion reminds us to renew our commitment to the SAARC Charter and its objectives. SAARC Charter signed 25 years ago, has played an important role in bringing SAARC member states closer to each other.”
He said SAARC has emerged as a mature organization and it deals with multi-dimensional issues such as poverty alleviation, education, trade and commerce, energy cooperation and human resource development.
Pakistan believes that SAARC should actively promote regional cooperation in all important fields, he added.
Gilani said one of the underlying objectives of SAARC is to help in contributing to mutual trust and understanding.
He said Pakistan is committed to the principles of SAARC Charter.
“We shall continue to play our role in furthering the objectives of SAARC for the benefit of the peoples of South Asia,” he added.