KATHMANDU, Feb 7: Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli has said that Nepal is keen to handover the chairmanship of the South Asian Association for Regional Corporation (SAARC) to Pakistan.

Oli made the remarks during his visit to SAARC Secretariat in Kathmandu. Nepal is currently the chair of the eight-member regional bloc founded in 1985. The prime minister also expressed his confidence that the long-delayed 19th SAARC Summit will take place soon.

He said that all the leaders of SAARC member states are committed to SAARC Charter and its objectives.

Oli's statement comes at a time when SAARC's fate is hanging in balance due to animosity between India and Pakistan over several issues including countering cross-border terrorism.

The 19th SAARC summit—which was originally scheduled to be held in November 2016 in Pakistan— got canceled after India and three other nations boycotted the summit accusing Pakistan of harboring terrorism. However, Pakistan denied the charges.

On the occasion, he also planted Rudraksha sapling on the SAARC premises.

SAARC Secretary General Amjad Hussain B Sial briefed the prime minister about activities carried out by the SAARC Secretariat. 

Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Foreign Secretary Shanker Das Bairagi and senior government officials accompanied the prime minister. 

 
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