Islamabad: Urging SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) countries to play a pro-active role in issues relating to peace and security, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today (July 20, 2004) told the Foreign Ministers of the grouping, including K Natwar Singh that the regional forum should pay increased attention to "preventive diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes."

Apparently elaborating on the "idea" floated by Pakistani delegation at the SAARC Foreign Secretaries' meeting to set up a body like the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) Regional Forum (ARF) in the SAARC region, Musharraf said more attention should be paid to settlement of disputes.

"In the context of peace and security there is a need for SAARC to institute a process of confidence building among member countries and pay increased attention to preventive diplomacy and peaceful settlement of disputes," an official statement here quoted him as telling the SAARC Ministers.

The ministers collectively called on Musharraf after the inauguration of the two-day SAARC Foreign Ministers' conference in Islamabad.

This was the first time that Singh met Musharraf after the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government assumed office. He is scheduled to call on Musharraf separately on July 23, the day he leaves for home after his five-day visit to Pakistan.

In his interaction with the SAARC ministers, Musharraf also highlighted the prospects and potential for cooperation in the energy sector. Pakistan has proposed to host a special ministerial-level meeting to boost regional cooperation in the field of energy, the statement said.

Musharraf also said that SAARC countries should not only concentrate on economic cooperation within the region but also develop productive linkages with other regions.

He appreciated the efforts of the SAARC countries to implement the decisions taken during Islamabad Summit early this year.

Later, Musharraf hosted lunch for the SAARC ministers.

Yesterday, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar said that Pakistan floated the idea of the formation of a body like ARF on the table during the SAARC Foreign Secretaries' meeting. Indian officials said that there was no formal proposal in this regard.