Pakistan has postponed the 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad next month after five members of the grouping decided against attending the meet. <br/><br/>In a statement last night, Pakistan Foreign Office said, it has conveyed its decision to Nepal, which is currently the SAARC Chair. It said, new date for holding of the summit in Islamabad will be announced soon, through Nepal.<br/><br/>Following the announcement, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Pakistan has been compelled to recognise the regional sentiment against terrorism.<br/><br/>Pakistan's decision to postpone the SAARC meet comes after five member countries, including India, expressed their inability to participate in the summit. India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka had already pulled out of the summit indirectly blaming Pakistan for creating an environment which is not right for the successful holding of the meet. <br/><br/>India was the first country to opt out of the SAARC summit.<br/><br/>Citing continuous cross-border terrorism by Pakistan, India had on September 27 announced that in the prevailing circumstances, the government of India is unable to participate in the proposed summit in Islamabad.<br/><br/>The general provisions of the SAARC Charter require that decisions at all levels shall be taken on the basis of unanimity, and this applies to the convening of meetings of heads of state or government of SAARC member states as well. <br/><br/>Founded in 1985, SAARC currently has Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka as its members.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, a two-day regional conference on SAARC's effectiveness, concluded in Kathmandu yesterday. It suggested for holding the 19th SAARC Summit on scheduled date. It also urged the bloc to change the venue for the same if necessary.

Pakistan has postponed the 19th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit scheduled to be held in Islamabad next month after five members of the grouping decided against attending the meet. <br/><br/>In a statement last night, Pakistan Foreign Office said, it has conveyed its decision to Nepal, which is currently the SAARC Chair. It said, new date for holding of the summit in Islamabad will be announced soon, through Nepal.<br/><br/>Following the announcement, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Pakistan has been compelled to recognise the regional sentiment against terrorism.<br/><br/>Pakistan's decision to postpone the SAARC meet comes after five member countries, including India, expressed their inability to participate in the summit. India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka had already pulled out of the summit indirectly blaming Pakistan for creating an environment which is not right for the successful holding of the meet. <br/><br/>India was the first country to opt out of the SAARC summit.<br/><br/>Citing continuous cross-border terrorism by Pakistan, India had on September 27 announced that in the prevailing circumstances, the government of India is unable to participate in the proposed summit in Islamabad.<br/><br/>The general provisions of the SAARC Charter require that decisions at all levels shall be taken on the basis of unanimity, and this applies to the convening of meetings of heads of state or government of SAARC member states as well. <br/><br/>Founded in 1985, SAARC currently has Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka as its members.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, a two-day regional conference on SAARC's effectiveness, concluded in Kathmandu yesterday. It suggested for holding the 19th SAARC Summit on scheduled date. It also urged the bloc to change the venue for the same if necessary.