March 13, 2023
2 mins read

SAARC skips Afghanistan for Secretary General

Afghanistan was supposed to present a candidate for the SAARC Secretary General Post this time, but since the member states do not recognize the Taliban…reports Asian Lite News

It was Afghanistan’s turn to suggest a candidate for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation’s (SAARC) Secretary General Position. The seat has, however, not been awarded to the country because the organization’s states have not recognized the current Kabul administration, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported.

According to Khaama Press, after Afghanistan, it was Bangladesh’s turn, and Golam Sarwar, a senior career diplomat, was appointed the next secretary general of the eight-member regional organization. Sarwar is stepping in to replace Esala Ruwan Weerakoon of Sri Lanka, whose three-year term ended in February 2023. Golam Sarwar’s application to serve as the regional bloc’s secretary general has been forwarded by the government of Bangladesh.

The SAARC council of ministers usually meet in person to choose a new secretary general, but that was not possible this time. Owing to this, Nepal’s Bharat Raj Poudel discussed Golam Sarwar’s nomination with his counterparts in SAARC members’ nations, including Pakistan but excluding Afghanistan, and proposed an endorsement via a circular, which all members’ states approved.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, or SAARC, which was established in 1985, seeks to accelerate its member states’ economic and social growth. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

During the organization’s 14th summit session on April 3, 2007, Afghanistan became one of the organization’s eight members.

Afghanistan was supposed to present a candidate for the SAARC Secretary General Post this time, but since the member states do not recognize the Taliban; Bangladesh has been given the opportunity.

Taliban recently called on the international community to recognise the “Islamic Emirate” of Afghanistan, claiming that if recognised, the concerns and complaints of the world community will be addressed in a better way, Afghanistan-based Tolo News reported.

“The Islamic Emirate will be paying more attention to its responsibilities and the complaints we have among ourselves or from other countries will be addressed in a good way. Because one side will feel responsible regarding the laws and regulation,” Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said, as quoted by Tolo News.

According to Mujahid, if some powerful world countries prevent Afghanistan’s recognition, the rest of the world countries should not follow them.

This comes as the Taliban-led Ministry of Economy said that the lack of recognition of the “Islamic Emirate” by the international community since last August has caused challenges in the country.

“If the Islamic Emirate is recognized, the engagement of Afghanistan with the international community will increase and this will cause stabilization in the region,” said Abdul Latif Nazari, Afghan deputy Minister of Economy under the caretaker Taliban regime. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Pakistan’s IMF bailout in jeopardy

Previous Story

Iran, Uzbekistan agree to work for stability in Afghanistan

Next Story

UK records spike in Indians crossing over illegally

Latest from -Top News

Activists Targeted Again in Balochistan

The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) on Tuesday condemned the enforced disappearance of Baloch leader Ghani Baloch, blaming Pakistan’s Law Enforcement Agencies and Frontier Corps….reports Asian Lite News The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC),

Islamabad-Ankara-Baku Axis Sharpens Against India

Both Turkey and Azerbaijan have openly expressed solidarity with Pakistan and backed Islamabad in its military standoff with India, this month….reports Asian Lite News The evolving alliance between Islamabad, Ankara, and Baku

B’desh SC Acquits Islamist in War Crimes Case

ATM Azharul Islam was slapped with the charges of crimes against humanity committed during the Liberation War of the country in 1971….reports Asian Lite News The Supreme Court of Bangladesh on Tuesday

India Targets Pak Terror Ties in Guyana

The delegation met the Guyanese President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who had hosted a dinner to celebrate friendship and shared aspirations between the two nations…reports Asian Lite News Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, currently

EU Vows US Trade Deal

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen phoned Trump on Sunday, after which he agreed to postpone the planned tariff increase until July 9….reports Asian Lite News The European Commission remains “fully
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Qatar, Turkey, Taliban make progress in talks over Afghan airports

Now with the handover of the Kabul, Herat, Kandahar, Mazar,

Former Afghan soldiers ready to fight for Russia in Ukraine

Many ex-Afghan security personnel say poverty and security concerns are