Pakistan on Monday expressed the desire that it wants to see the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (Saarc) as more dynamic and vibrant forum. Addressing as outgoing chairman at the 5th conference of information ministers of Saarc, information minister Sheikh Rashid said.
"Pakistan attaches great importance to the efficient functioning of Saarc."
He said Pakistan is committed to the Saarc process and would like to see this organisation focus more on project co-operation and result-oriented activities ensuring uplift of the people of our region.
He said President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz have stressed the need for the organisation to remain focused on meeting challenges of globalisation as well as achieving targets set out in the millennium development goals (MDG). He welcomed renewed commitment of Saarc member countries to strengthen economic co-operation in order to transform quality of life for the people of South Asia.
The minister said Pakistan has participated actively in Saarc activities in the fields of poverty alleviation, social development, Safta, energy, health, culture, and science and technology.
Referring to the Islamabad Declaration adopted during the Saarc summit, he said Pakistan has sought to implement plans for joint efforts as envisaged in the declaration.
"I would particularly like to recall the highly successful fourth conference of Saarc information ministers held in Islamabad on December 15-16, 2004." The conference focused on greater collaboration and linkages between Saarc-member countries in the field of media by sharing technical and managerial expertise, he said.
Despite poverty and widespread illiteracy, South Asia has been successful in facilitating flow of information and in the field of information technology.
He said there is total freedom of expression in the media in Pakistan by adopting a policy of encouraging private enterprise, both to improve the quality as well as content of the electronic media.
"As part of our policy to encourage plurality in the media, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, is issuing licenses freely to private Radio and TV channels."
He appreciated the progress achieved since the last meeting of information ministers.
"The concept of Saarc information centre has now become a reality. We appreciate the keen interest taken by Nepal in establishment of this centre and we are sure that it will contribute to closer co-operation and development of media in the region."
He said: "The Saarc print and electronic media have evolved mechanisms of co-operation. Indeed, a spirit of friendship and solidarity is developing between the official media and the private sector, which promises much for the future.
I am confident that this meeting in Kathmandu will make a positive contribution to further enhancing this co-operation."
He expressed the hope invaluable recommendations made by the fourth and fifth meetings of information ministers will be endorsed by the summit at Dhaka, thereby, maintaining the momentum for closer regional integration that was generated at the 12th Saarc summit at Islamabad.
He thanked the government of Nepal and secretariat of Saarc for holding the moot in an effective and productive manner.
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