Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Pakistan’s ambassador to Nepal, Abrar H Hashmi, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Thursday.
The two discussed the relations between the two countries as well as issues of mutual interest and concern and SAARC, according to a senior official at the Office of the Prime Minister.
According to embassy officials, Pakistan has been making efforts to revitalize the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The strained relations between India and Pakistan have raised questions about the future of this regional forum.
The SAARC Summit has not been held since Nepal hosted the regional event in 2014. Although Pakistan had made all the preparations to host the SAARC Summit in 2016, it did not materialize following India’s refusal to participate due to what it termed “Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism.” With Maldives, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka also supporting India’s stance, the summit had to be postponed.
Since Nepal is the current chair of SAARC, Pakistan raised the matter with Nepal, a senior official at the embassy said.
