ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Tuesday said that the full potential of South Asia could be realized only by resolving differences and problems peacefully and “purposefully”.He was addressing a luncheon hosted in the honour of the participants of the Sixth Conference of the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians here at the PM House. The Prime Minister said that the parliamentarians have a unique advantage and they can play a significant role in promoting the ideals of peace and prosperity in their respective countries and the region.However he made it clear that the objective could be achieved “only when we resolve our differences peacefully and develop the culture of solving our problems seriously and purposefully.” He said that SAARC has immense potential to transform the region into a zone of peace, stability and prosperity. “It is time for us to leverage our potential to overcome these challenges,” the Prime Minister said adding Pakistan was firmly committed to the principles of SAARC and attaches great importance to its ideals and processes.He said that Pakistan strongly believes that regional cooperation was an important engine of prosperity for the people of the region and called for focusing on increasing regional trade.“We are committed to go an extra mile to make SAARC an effective and productive organization that is beneficial to all South Asian citizens.” The Prime Minister in this regard said the people need to be made partners in development and their welfare be the focus of public policy. Raja Pervez Ashraf said that Pakistan envisions SAARC as a thriving organization, promoting not only regional development but advancing the global agenda for peace and prosperity.He said that one of the objectives of SAARC was to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and improve their quality of life. “Let’s join hands to extend support to strengthen democracy in our region.”He said Parliament’s role was critical for any democracy to take deep roots and formulate policies for people’s welfare.“The broad-based and unhindered participation of people leads to greater ownership by the people and brightens the prospects of success,” Ashraf added. He said being elected not only brings special privilege and honour, but also entails huge responsibilities. “We should be cognizant of high hopes and expectations pinned on us by the people,” Prime Minister Ashraf said.The Prime Minister said Pakistan’s Parliament was playing a leading role in strengthening democracy and was a true custodian of people’s rights. He said the 18th, 19th and 20th amendments in the constitution of Pakistan have restored the original structure. He said these have also addressed the issues of autonomy of provinces, besides empowering women and minorities and ensured measures to protect human rights. The Prime Minister said that South Asia was facing disease, conflicts, joblessness, violence and squalor. Climate change, environmental hazards and natural calamities have further eroded the prospects for sustainable growth, critical for poverty alleviation. He said that South Asian region can rightly be termed as a food basket, however, regretted that the number of food insecure people has been on the increase.He said reducing poverty, hunger and food insecurity were essential components of the Millennium Development Goals and said food security has become a fundamental component of national security paradigm. “We are developing a national Zero Hunger Programme as part of our quest for realization of ‘Food for All’ dream. We seek to further strengthen our partnership with our regional and global partners in this regard.”He noted that the core theme of the conference; “Meaningful Participatory Democracy in South Asia—-Parliament’s Affirmative Actions” and “Targeting Food Security for the Region: Ensuring Parliament’s role in accomplishing Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)” was timely and relevant. He said both the subjects were relevant to the common desire and special responsibility to promote prosperity and development in the region.He expressed confidence that deliberations would lead to further deepening of cooperation among member states in related fields. The PM said since its establishment in 1992 the Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians has matured and has made important progress in various fields. He expressed confidence that deliberations would pave the way for more targeted efforts to strengthen SAARC and to make it an effective regional bloc truly representative of aspirations of the people of South Asia.