GEO 436 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said it was collective responsibility of SAARC countries to make sincere efforts and implement effective strategies to rid the region of terrorism. Speaking at a dinner hosted in honour of SAARC interior and home ministers here at Prime Minister House on Saturday night, he said the SAARC leadership must be mindful of the fact that progress and prosperity of peoples was closely linked to the security environment of the region. He said the phenomenon of terrorism has emerged as a huge challenge to the security and prosperity of South Asia as well as the entire world. "Terrorism is a menace whose effects transgress national boundaries. It can be fought best through cooperative approach." He said Pakistan, being in the front line of war on terror, has suffered more than any other country in the world. "Our leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, herself, became a victim of terrorism. Hundreds of our people and security officials have sacrificed their lives," he added. Gilani said terrorism has also severely impacted Pakistan's economy. "It cannot be defeated by one country alone. We have to join hands together and fight it as a united front. I am confident that with sustained efforts, undertaken with mutual trust and sincerity, we will be able to eliminate this threat from our region." He said he was confident that the meeting in Islamabad was fruitful in terms of achieving its objectives. He assured of his government's full support and commitment in implementing the outcome of the discussions. The Prime Minister said it was gratifying to note that despite numerous challenges that the SAARC is faced with, it has made progress in various fields, specially in dealing with complex issues of social advancement, economic integration, climate change, organized crimes, drug trafficking and terrorism. He underlined the need to redouble efforts to put SAARC on ascending trajectory for fostering ever stronger regional cooperation among the member States on every matter and issue of mutual concern and thus enhancing SAARC's global profile to the level it deserves. "In doing so, we must evaluate the results of our joint endeavours in the past and address our shortcomings to make SAARC more visible and relevant, in the future." "Regrettably, the South Asia still lags far behind its larger Asian neighbourhood, in terms of economic and social advancement," he added. Gilani said other Asian countries especially those of ASEAN, have forged closer robust cooperation for development and are in a position to avail the benefits of globalization but SAARC has remained inward-looking and unable to keep pace with the neighbouring regions, in those areas. He said the key impediment to SAARC's success had been the absence of an enabling political environment for promotion of mutually beneficial cooperation. "Our region, unfortunately, has remained mired in disputes and tensions. We have remained far too preoccupied with the management of tensions and differences. This has to change and it is my earnest and sincere hope that the required change would take place sooner rather than later." He assured that Pakistan remains committed to the SAARC Charter in furthering the goals of close regional interaction and is desirous to see it develop as a successful regional organization. "We will continue to attach high priority to contribute towards the strengthening of SAARC. We have and will continue to incorporate various SAARC decisions into our national plans and policies." The Prime Minister said SAARC had been created quarter of a century ago, with a clear aim of jointly seeking the betterment of peoples and the region. "We, however, still have a long way to go to reach that goal. It is, hence, important to accelerate our joint efforts in finding ways and means to augment the capacity of SAARC to enable it to serve as a catalyst for the economic and social development of our region." "We must share best practices under the SAARC umbrella, be it in science, technology, management, agriculture or public service. Due to its limitless potential, great economic promise and rich cultural heritage, there is tremendous global interest in South Asia, which we need to optimize through flows of investment and technology in collaborative arrangements with the international and regional institutions," he mentioned. The Prime Minister said SAARC has to position itself to engage interested states and international organizations to develop the win-win complementarities for socio-economic progress. He said SAARC must be seen as a viable regional organization responsive to the aspirations of the masses. "They deserve better and we must not fail them by failing to overcome the hurdles on the way of our heightened cooperation in every possible field." He hoped that the recent deliberations of ministers would give a new incentive for the multifaceted regional cooperation and assured that Pakistan would always be ready to provide its full support to the endeavours of SAARC member countries.
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