Pakistan Calls for Expanding Trade and Connectivity across SAARC

DID Press: Pakistan marked the 40th anniversary of the SAARC Charter by reiterating its readiness to expand trade, transit, and energy connectivity with all willing South Asian nations. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad remains firmly committed to the principles and objectives of the regional bloc.

According to Pakistani media, President Zardari underscored Pakistan’s strategic position as a bridge between South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East, stating that the country is prepared for broader cooperation to strengthen people-to-people ties and build shared regional benefits.

He stressed that regional challenges can only be addressed through a collective approach, urging South Asian states to move forward with “clarity and sincerity.” Mutual respect and practical cooperation, he added, could lay the foundations for a more peaceful South Asia for future generations.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, in a separate message, reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a “cooperative, inclusive, and forward-looking” regional order and highlighted SAARC’s role in harnessing South Asia’s vast economic potential.

The renewed emphasis on regional cooperation comes amid continued tensions and border closures between Afghanistan and Pakistan, pushing both countries to explore alternative trade routes.