A senior Pakistani official said this week his country will make its official position clear on a Sri Lankan proposal to hold permanent annual summits of the seven nation SAARC in Kathmandu only after India’s formal position on Colombo’s proposal.
“Pakistan will make clear its position only after a clear official position on the issue from India,” agencies quoted Pakistan Information Minister Sheikh Rahid Ahmed as saying.
Ahmed said this after requests for comments following publication of reports of the Sri Lankan proposal. Bangladesh has rejected the Sri Lankan proposal supported by India saying instead the summit should be held every year alternatively in the capitals of member states as stated in the SAARC Charter.
India and Bhutan did not confirm their participation in the 12th summit that was to be held in Islamabad last January; the 11th summit was held in Kathmandu January 2001.