Saarc spirit alive, it needs to be revived: CA Yunus

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus today said the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) must be revived at any cost, as the presence of high-level dignitaries from member states at the funeral of former prime minister Khaleda Zia proves the regional body's spirit is still alive.

"He [Yunus] conveyed the same message to all of them (foreign dignitaries). He said Saarc needs to be revived at any cost," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital today.

Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad also spoke at the briefing.

Alam said foreign dignitaries – representing Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka – met the chief adviser at his official residence, Jamuna, on Wednesday and Thursday.

"They were overwhelmed to see such a huge funeral ceremony," said the press secretary, mentioning that they appreciated the arrangements for conducting it nicely.

Quoting the chief adviser, the press secretary said the spirit of Saarc is alive and well, and this spirit needs to be maintained.

The Saarc was established with the signing of the Saarc Charter in Dhaka on 8 December 1985. Saarc comprises eight member states: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The secretariat of the association was set up in Kathmandu on 17 January 1987.