Boost anti-terror cooperation, Pakistan urges SAARC

President Pervez Musharraf on Thursday urged member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) to boost cooperation for the elimination of terrorism and extremism in the region.

Talking to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama at President’s Camp Office in Rawalpindi, Musharraf said the SAARC countries - India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan and Afghanistan and Pakistan - would have to devise a joint strategy to surmount the challenges faced by the region.

During the meeting, various issues, including the war against terror, the overall situation in the region and national and international affairs were discussed. The president said terrorism was the prime challenge being faced by the world, adding that economic stability was not possible without the elimination of this scourge.

The President underlined the need for close cooperation in different fields between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, saying the Free Trade Agreement would play the key role in this respect.

Expressing gratitude to President Musharraf, the Lankan Foreign Minister said economic and trade cooperation between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was gradually increasing and both countries were collaborating in the war against terror. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the 15th SAARC summit being held in Colombo on August 2 and 3.

“Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Bogollagama is in Pakistan to extend an invitation to the Pakistani premier and the foreign minister for the meeting,” said Foreign Office Spokesman Muhammad Sadiq during his weekly briefing.

The Foreign Minister will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the Council of ministers’ two-day meeting beginning on July 31 in Colombo, he said.