Pakistan is planning to host South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in early 2027 as part of its endeavour to revamp South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
The plan was shared by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan, HE Muhammad Ishaq Dar, during a farewell courtesy call by the outgoing SAARC Secretary General, Ambassador Golam Sarwar of Bangladesh, in Islamabad recently.
During the meeting, the deputy prime minister highly commended Ambassador Sarwar for his dedicated leadership and impactful contributions to strengthening the South Asian regional framework.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the SAARC Charter, Dar said a robust regional partnership is vital for socio-economic development across member states.
He added that enhanced trade connectivity and expedited poverty alleviation would contribute to improving the quality of life for the two billion people of South Asia. He further said that Pakistan stands ready to make all efforts to revitalise the organisation’s economic and functional tracks.
Ambassador Sarwar expressed his deep gratitude to the government and people of Pakistan for their unwavering support throughout his tenure, praising the nation’s proactive and constructive role in advancing SAARC’s core mission.
The two dignitaries delved into the current landscape of regional cooperation, stressing the urgent need for collective action against shared challenges such as climate vulnerability, energy security, and cross-border connectivity. The dignitaries also exchanged views on the ongoing security situation in Western Asia.
The deputy prime minister extended his warmest wishes and continued success to the Secretary General for his future endeavours. Ambassador Sarwar assumed office as the 15th Secretary-General of SAARC in October 2023 and is scheduled to complete his tenure in October 2026.
