The Centre for South Asian Studies (CSAS), University of the Punjab, Lahore in collaboration with Dr. Jahangir Badar Institute of Vision and Leadership organized and celebrated SAARC Charted Day on December 11, 2023. Mr. Zulfikar Ali Badar, CEO of Dr. Jahangir Badar Institute of Vision and Leadership. Mr. Admiral (Rtd.) Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunartatne, High Commissioner of Sri-Lanka to Pakistan was the guest of honor at the occasion. Mnay other honorable dignitaries like Mr. Shahid Mlaik, Senior Diplomat & Former High Commissioner of Pakistan to India, Mr. Yasin Joeya, Honorary Council General of Srilianka, Dr. Shabbir Ahmad Khan, Professor Department of Political Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore were the speakers at the event.

Mr. Zufikar Ali Badar CEO, Dr. Jahangir Badar Institute of Vision and Leadership discussed about the significance and avenues for developing of leadership skills through the platform of Dr. Jahangir Badar Institute of Vision and Leadership. The welcome address was given by Dr.  Naheed S. Goraya, Director Centre for South Asian Studies. She said that SAARC has immense potential to develop South Asia as economic entity but we need to understand the challenges first. She stated that on the platform of SAARC, all the regional countries stand equal, irrespective of the asymmetric size and population. Therefore, SAARC countries should not influence their role as stumbling block in when it comes to the development and contribution to the region. Our population and size should not define our significance but resilience and will to utilize SAARC as an effective regional organization, through addressing variations and negotiations for the common interests. Mr. Shahid Malik, Former Higher Commissioner of Pakistan to India, emphasized the significance of dialogue and regular meetings between the representatives of India & Pakistan in particular and among the representatives of South Asia countries in general to overcome the issues that have made the SAARC dysfunctional since its inception. He also suggested effective remedial measures to resolve the issues faced by SAARC through dialogues.

The Guest of Honor, Mr. Admiral (Rtd.) Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunartatne, High Commissioner of Sri-Lanka to Pakistan spoke about his love for Pakistan in general and Lahore in particular. He emphasized to have people to people contact to strengthen the bilateral ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. He summarized his address with an optimistic note to revive the SAARC into an effective organization to sort out regional issues.

Finally, the event was concluded by Dr. Shabbir Ahmad Khan, Professor in the Department of Political Science. He thanked the distinguished guests and appreciated the efforts of the organizers to organize SAARC Charter Day event.

Al the end, souvenirs were presented to the distinguished guests.