Amid the growing tensions between nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India, Islamabad has reportedly postponed the 19th Saarc conference, which was scheduled to be held in the federal capital in November.
Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz confirmed the development on Wednesday, local media reported.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup announced on Tuesday that India had pulled out of the Saarc conference. “Regional cooperation and terror don't go together,” Swarup had tweeted.
After New Delhi’s announcement, Bangladesh on Wednesday said it had communicated its inability to attend the summit to current Saarc chair, Nepal.
In separate statements, Afghanistan and Bhutan also announced their decision to withdraw from the summit.
The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit cannot take place if any one of the eight members withdraws.
Pakistan called India’s move “unfortunate” and said it remains committed to peace and regional cooperation.
India blames Pakistan for the assault in the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir earlier this month that has heightened fears of a new conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Pakistan rejects the accusation and says India should conduct a proper investigation before it apportions blame.
Divided between India and Pakistan since 1947, the nuclear flashpoint of Kashmir lies at the heart of the countries’ rivalry. India also faces an insurgency against its rule in the portion it controls, its only Muslim-majority state.