Khar suggests 'SAARC visa' in meeting with Secretary General

SAARC Secretary General assures to consider the suggestion. Discusses strengthening of SAARC mechanisms.

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said on Wednesday that initiation of a South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) visa for nationals of SAARC  member states would not only make travelling within the region easier but also increase a sense of ownership of the region.

The Foreign Minister raised the issue of difficulties in intra-regional travel because of lengthy visa procedures in a meeting with the new Secretary General of SAARC, Ahmed Saleem. The Secretary General assured the Foreign Minister to consider the suggestion.

During the meeting, the Secretary General shared his vision about SAARC with Khar and discussed his views about strengthening of SAARC mechanisms. He also expressed his thoughts on how South Asia could be developed into a global economic hub. Khar added that Pakistan attached great importance to regional cooperation.

The Foreign Minister congratulated the Secretary General on assumption of his office on March 12.

They discussed the 17th SARRC Summit and its outcome with Khar, commending Maldives for successfully hosting the summit. She expressed satisfaction on the secretariat's effective follow-up of various decisions taken during the meeting and highlighted the steps being taken by Pakistan in pursuing the summit decisions.