Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali was today (Jan 4, 2004) unanimously elected chairperson of the 12th SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) Summit.

Being the leader of the delegation of the host country, his name was proposed by outgoing chairperson and Nepali Premier Surya Bahadur Thapa, who handed over the ceremonial gavel to Jamali and the two leaders exchanged chairs.

Thapa expressed confidence that under Jamali's dynamic leadership SAARC will progress and enhance regional co-operation.

The Association's agenda was also adopted unanimously.

SAARC Summit is held once in two years. The previous summit was held in Kathmandu in 2001 and the next is scheduled to be held in Dhaka in 2005.