Saarc home ministers to discuss combating terrorism

The home ministers of Saarc nations will bang their heads together to find out a way to strengthen the anti-terrorism mechanism.

The officials of the home ministries of the Saarc countries will have a meeting from August 2 to 4 in Pakistan to discuss about the anti-terrorism activities.

A senior government official said Pakistan put forward a proposal to form a high-level group of eminent experts to strengthen the Saarc anti-terrorism mechanism and it would be discussed by the member countries.

Eight countries in South Asia are the members of Saarc and almost all of them are the victims of terrorism.

The Saarc home secretary-level talks will be held on August 3, and the home ministers will meet the following day.

Home ministers of almost of the Saarc nations have confirmed their participation but till now it is learnt that Bangladesh High Commissioner to Islamabad will lead the Bangladesh side.

The official said in the meeting Bangladesh would present its anti-terrorism position strongly and it would also highlight the current and future activities to combat the menace.

Progress in the implementation of the Saarc regional convention on suppression of terrorism and additional protocol would also be discussed in the meeting, he said.

Maritime security and piracy, cyber crime, narcotics and drug, combating corruption, trafficking in women and children, Saarc visa sticker and other issues would be also discussed in the meeting, he added.

Another official said the Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry put forward a proposal to enhance number and validity of Saarc visas, especially for businessmen, a presentation will be made at the meeting.

Source: Dhaka Tribune