Pakistan pledges $3 m towards the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund

Sunday, 12 April 2020 13:35 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Government of Pakistan has pledged US$ 3 million towards the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund to support regional efforts in the fight against the Coronavirus. While communicating Pakistan’s decision to the SAARC Secretariat, it has been conveyed that all proceedings of the Fund should be administered by the SAARC Secretariat and that the modalities for the Fund’s utilisation should be finalized through consultations with the Member States as per the SAARC Charter.

Pakistan’s perspective in this regard was also conveyed during a telephone conversation between Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and SAARC Secretary General Esala Ruwan Weerakoon today. Being a founding member, Pakistan said in a statement that it considers SAARC an important platform for regional cooperation. Pakistan remains committed to the SAARC process and will continue working with the Member States to strengthen regional cooperation. Sri Lanka has pledged $5 million to the SAARC COVID-19 Fund, whilst India which mooted the idea has committed $10 million.