SAARC's new chief stresses on intra-regional connectivity

SAARC's newly appointed Secretary General Amjad Hussain B Sial today said that the grouping can provide an important platform for achieving the objectives of socio-economic development of the region as he stressed on the need for improving intra-regional connectivity.
Sial made the remarks during his meeting with Nepalese Foreign Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.
"SAARC can provide an important platform for achieving the objectives of socio-economic development of the region and amelioration of the people, as enshrined in the SAARC charter," the Secretary General said.
Sial stressed on the need for improving intra-regional connectivity and early implementation of approved activities, especially the Ministerial events, according to a press release issued by SAARC Secretariat.

The Secretary General thanked the Nepalese government for its support in his appointment. He also sought support from Nepal, as chair, for strengthening the SAARC process.
Conveying his good wishes for the success of Sial, Foreign Minister Mahat expressed hope that his vast diplomatic experience and expertise in foreign relations will "bring a new spirit in the SAARC secretariat and will contribute in strengthening the SAARC process."

The minister assured his full support for the Secretariat in all its endeavours for regional cooperation and expressed his solidarity and commitment for SAARC process.
Pakistan's seasoned diplomat, Sial assumed office as the new Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on March 1.

SAARC is an eight-member regional grouping that comprises Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. PTI SBP
assumed charge of the office of Secretary General of SAARC on March 1. He succeeded Nepal's Arjun Bahadur Thapa.