Pakistan elected President of Colombo Plan Council
By Nida Butt 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has been unanimously elected as President of Colombo Plan Council for the year 2006-07 in its 253rd session held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

According to Pakistan's High Commission to Colombo, it was also decided by the Council that Pakistan would take over the Presidency with effect from 15th November 2006 i.e. after the 40th Consultative Committee meeting scheduled in Thimphu on 7-8 November this year.

Speaking on the occasion, AVM Retd. Shahzad A Chaudhry, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka thanked the representatives of the member countries for their unanimous support and trust reposed in him and assured them of pursuing the goals and objectives of the Council with vigor.

He also complimented his predecessor for his valuable contribution as the former President of the Council.

The Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic and Social Development in Asia and the Pacific is a regional inter-governmental organization established in 1951 to enhance economic and social development of the countries of the region.

Pakistan is its founding member. Over the years, the membership of the Council has grown from original seven Commonwealth countries to the current 25 comprising countries of not only Commonwealth of the Asia Pacific Region but also countries belonging to regional groupings such as ASEAN and SAARC.

The Colombo Plan is a concept which seeks to promote both individual and cooperative assistance in development aimed at socio economic progress of its member countries.

The Council identifies important issues facing its members and ensures the implementation of the Consultative Committees directives.

It is represented by the heads of the diplomatic Missions resident in Colombo, Sri Lanka.●