Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has publicly restated Pakistan's backing for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) during a meeting with outgoing Secretary-General Golam Sarwar in Islamabad, as regional cooperation remains stalled by longstanding tensions between member states. Main Developments During the Tuesday meeting at the Foreign Ministry, Dar commended Sarwar's efforts to promote regional cooperation and reaffirmed Pakistan's "steadfast commitment to the Saarc process," according to a Foreign Office (FO) statement posted on social media. The foreign minister stressed the need for a "revitalised Saarc, guided by the principles of its charter, to advance regional connectivity, sustainable development, and the collective well-being" of South Asia, highlighting the region's demographic and economic potential. Sarwar thanked the foreign minister for Pakistan's constructive role in promoting regional and global peace and appreciated the country's consistent support for Saarc and its institutions. Dar wished Sarwar success as he concludes his tenure as secretary general and conveyed his best wishes for his future endeavours. Read also: Why 21 WFP trucks crossing into Afghanistan signals a fragile aid lifeline Background Saarc, an eight-member association, has faced significant challenges in recent years, particularly regarding the hosting of its summits. No Saarc summit has taken place since 2014. The 19th summit, scheduled for 2016 in Islamabad, could not proceed after India pulled out, blaming Pakistan for an attack on its army brigade in Uri, a town in occupied Kashmir. Under the Saarc charter, a meeting of the heads of government cannot be held if any one of the member states does not join. The core issue stems from escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, two of the bloc's major members. Why It Matters Dar's reaffirmation signals Pakistan's desire to revive a platform that has been effectively frozen for over a decade, affecting trade, connectivity, and development initiatives across South Asia. Without summit-level engagement, the bloc's ability to address shared challenges—from poverty and climate change to energy security—remains severely limited. What's Next Separately, Dar met with Pakistan's Ambassador-designate to Nepal, Aamir Khan, congratulating him on his appointment and underscoring the importance of strengthening bilateral ties in trade, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges. The foreign minister encouraged Khan to work closely with Nepal's leaders and business community to unlock new avenues of economic collaboration. Whether Sarwar's successor can help break the summit impasse remains an open question.