Stating that South Asian countries will benefit from activating SAARC, Chief Adviser to the interim government Dr. Muhammad Yunus said, SAARC is very important to me.
He said this in a meeting with a delegation of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Oncology (SFO) via video conference from the Chief Adviser's residence in Jamuna at 10 am on Thursday (December 12).
Dr. Muhammad Yunus said, I spoke about activating SAARC immediately after taking oath as Chief Adviser. SAARC is not being activated due to some issues between India and Pakistan. I think that the problems between the two countries should not affect other countries.
He said, if South Asian leaders meet every year, stand together and take pictures, then the message goes to the whole world that we are together. This will present South Asian countries to the world in a positive light and help them move forward.
He paid tribute to the contributions of Professor Dr. ABMF Karim, the founder of the SAARC Federation of Oncologists (SFO), and mentioned his personal experience of interacting with him.
At this time, Professor Yunus remembered his younger brother, a prominent writer, journalist, critic and renowned television personality Muhammad Jahangir. He shared the experiences of the suffering his entire family had to go through during his brother's cancer diagnosis and treatment. At that time, the Chief Adviser also mentioned how Dr. Karim helped him in his treatment.
He said, "We are still not getting the technical support that is needed in cancer treatment. The special importance that SAARC is giving to cancer treatment is very urgent and inspiring."