KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi left here for home after concluding his two-day visit to the capital of Himalayan country.
Nepal’s Finance Minister Yuba Raj Khatiwada saw off the Prime Minister at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Senior officials of the Nepal government and Pakistan’s ambassador Mazhar Javed were present.
The Prime Minister during his stay in Kathmandu held meetings with President Bidhya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli and felicitated them on continuation of democracy in their country.
He also met Nepal’s former prime minister Pushpa Kamal and planted a tree at the SAARC Secretariat.
The Prime Minister also held an interaction with editors and heads of media houses.
Earlier, the Prime Minister said Pakistan attached great importance to South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and remained committed to its principles and objectives of its Charter.
In a speech during his visit to SAARC Secretariat here to plant a tree, the Prime Minister said Pakistan had always striove to make SAARC a vibrant vehicle for regional cooperation based on the principle of sovereign equality.
Prime Minister Abbasi said SAARC had immense potential for strengthening the economies of the member countries and to promote collaboration in various areas of mutual significance.
He emphasized that the organisation needed to work towards achieving economic, cultural and social growth of the region. He stressed increased level of connectivity among the SAARC member states for a prosperous region.
Abbasi said at all meetings of the SAARC, Pakistan had advanced its belief that a secure and peaceful environment in South Asia was crucial for the advancement of region’s development and prosperity.
He said as the host of next SAARC summit, Pakistan looked forward to convening the summit at an early date and assured that the country would play a positive role in further strengthening regional cooperation.
Secretary General SAARC Amjad Hussain B. Sial said Pakistan was playing important role in SAARC and had previously hosted two summits.
He said holding of SAARC summits meant renewing impetus among the member states and therefore was significant.
Later, the Prime Minister planted a sapling of Pine at the premises of SAARC Secretariat.
He also penned his remarks in the visitors book and had a group photograph with the directors at SAARC Secretariat. – APP
