The Prime Minister of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, visited SAARC Secretariat today. While welcoming the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Secretary General of SAARC, H.E Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for gracing the Secretariat with his presence taking out precious time during his visit to Nepal. He added that the visit is a source of inspiration and encouragement to the officials of SAARC to work with even greater zeal and zest to provide best possible services to the Member States. He said that the holding of Summit, as decided by the leaders during Eighteenth SAARC Summit, will give renewed impetus to the SAARC process.

Prime Minister Abbasi in his remarks, renewed Pakistan’s commitment to the SAARC process and emphasized the need on early convening of the Nineteenth SAARC Summit. He also underscored the importance of connectivity for regional integration and SAARC’s role in promoting wellbeing and welfare of the peoples. He appreciated the SAARC Secretariat for the services rendered to the Member States. To commemorate the visit, he also planted a tree at the SAARC Secretariat.

The Secretary General paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 5 March 2018. He briefed the Prime Minister on the status of regional cooperation.

After the establishment of the SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu on 16 January 1987, several Heads of State and Government from the Member States have visited the Secretariat. The present visit of the Prime Minister took place exactly after nine years of the visit of the President of Sri Lanka in March 2009.

SAARC Secretariat

Kathmandu

06 March 2018

The Secretary General of SAARC, Mr. Amjad Hussain B. Sial, inaugurated the recently renovated conference facility equipped with state-of-the art video-conferencing system at the SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu, on 05 December 2017. The facility will enhance the Secretariat’s capacity and capability to interact with the Member States in an efficient manner. It will also facilitate video-conferencing among the Member States.

It is also in-line with the stress laid-down by the Member States for upgradation of the information technology at the SAARC Secretariat to act as nerve Centre for the regional cooperation.

The Secretary General also inspected the recently renovated Himalayan Room (Conference Hall) and adjacent meeting rooms.

The Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Mr. Amjad Hussian B. Sial, called on Rt. Hon. Vice President of Nepal, H.E Mr. Nanda Bahadur Pun on 22 November 2017 and extended an invitation to him to attend Thirty-third SAARC Charter Day Celebration Ceremony to be held on 8 December 2017. The Vice President had been pleased to accept the invitation.

During the meeting, Vice President appreciated the Secretary General for the energy and enthusiasm with which he is fulfilling his duties and expressed the hope that the SAARC process will gain momentum from his experience and able leadership.

                The Secretary General thanked the Vice President for the support he has received from the Government of Nepal and the Vice President since assuming of charge in March this year and expressed the hope that he will continue to receive full support of Government of Nepal in discharge of his duties.