Poverty cut in S Asia possible under SAARC

The two sides expressed the unanimous views when the newly appointed Pakistan High Commissioner, Manzar Shafiq, made a courtesy call on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at her office here yesterday.

They noted that different regional blocs in the world made significant strides, improving the situation of their respective regions during the last two decades--much the same period of time the SAARC has passed through.

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The prime minister and the envoy held the views that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), through complementary and supplementary use of its available resources, can improve the lot of the people of the region.

"Massive economic achievement can be generated through the SAARC," the two sides agreed.

Turning to OIC, the forum of world's Muslim countries, Khaleda said its members should give emphasis on science and technology for advancement.

In this regard, she hoped that the OIC-members countries would continue and increase their commitment to the Islamic University of Technology in Gazipur.

Manzar Shafiq conveyed warmest regards from Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Jafarullah Khan Jamali to the Bangladesh leader.

Reminding her of the invitation for a bilateral visit to Pakistan, the envoy said the leaders and the people were eagerly waiting to receive her in Islamabad.

"The Pakistani people hold Khaleda in the highest esteem," Manzar Shafiq said.

Khaleda in this regard expressed her willingness to pay a bilateral visit to Pakistan, apart from attending the SAARC Summit scheduled for early next year in Islamabad.

Conveying her regards to the Pakistan president and the prime minister, she said a very cordial relationship existed between the two countries.

The Pakistan High Commissioner said there was an ample scope for expanding trade, commerce, education and cultural relationship between the two countries.

He recalled the contribution of late President Ziaur Rahman to the formation of the regional cooperation forum SAARC and paid rich tributes to him as he said it was Zia's brainchild.

Dwelling on the recently concluded OIC Summit, the Pakistan high commissioner reiterated his country's support to Bangladesh candidature for the post of OIC Secretary General.

Shafiq conveyed Pakistani president's gratitude to Bangladesh prime minister for supporting

his proposal for enlightened modernisation of the OIC.

The Pakistani diplomat also appreciated Bangladesh's success in improving its image abroad and lauded its success in different international forums.

Khaleda, through the High Commissioner, conveyed warm regards to the Pakistani President and the Prime Minister.

The High Commissioner's wife, Rehana Shafiq, and PM's Principal Secretary, Dr Kamal Siddiqui, were present on the occasion.