PM stresses importance of reactivating regional cooperation in meeting with outgoing Saarc chief

Reaffirms Pakistan's steadfast commitment to the Saarc Charter

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday stressed the importance of reviving regional cooperation in a meeting with outgoing South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Secretary General Ambassador Golam Sarwar. 

A press release issued today by the PM Office said the premier held a meeting with the Saarc chief at the Prime Minister's House.

"The prime minister appreciated the secretary general's dedicated service and leadership in advancing regional cooperation during his tenure as secretary general of SAARC.

"He reaffirmed Pakistan's steadfast commitment to the Saarc Charter and underscored the importance of revitalising regional cooperation to promote connectivity, sustainable development, and the shared prosperity of the peoples of South Asia," the press release said.

Islamabad :15 July 2026.

Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), H.E. Ambassador Md. Golam Sarwar, paid his farewell call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House, today.

The Prime Minister appreciated the… pic.twitter.com/YPxtm6NCZj

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) July 15, 2026

It added that the premier also conveyed his best wishes for Sarwar's future endeavours, while the latter Sarwar thanked PM Shehbaz for Pakistan's support extended to him during his tenure.

Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had also called for Saarc's revitalisation a day ago in his meeting with Sarwar, urging member states to uphold the bloc's founding charter to promote regional connectivity, sustainable development, and the collective well-being of the people of South Asia.

He had highlighted the region's immense demographic and economic potential and reaffirmed Pakistan's steadfast commitment to the Saarc process. FM Dar had praised the secretary general's efforts to strengthen regional cooperation among South Asian nations.

Secretary General of SAARC, H.E. Md. Golam Sarwar, called on Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad today.

DPM/FM commended the Secretary General’s efforts to promote regional cooperation and… pic.twitter.com/acbuupXgJF

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 14, 2026

Saarc, which is an eight-member organisation, was established in 1985 to promote socio-economic and cultural development across South Asia.

The organisation has faced significant challenges in recent years, primarily stemming from tensions between India and Pakistan and consequently, no SAARC summit has taken place since 2014.

Under the Saarc Charter, consensus is required among all member states for the hosting of a meeting of the heads of government.