Kathmandu, July 13: Terming the announcement of dates for the next SAARC summit as a "positive" step, former Pakistan premier Benazir Bhutto has said politcal understanding and peaceful atmosphere is required for realising the objectives of the seven-member grouping. Political understanding and peace is required to further the work of SAARC, Bhutto told reporters in Budhanilkhanta, 10 kms north of Kathmandu.
The process of SAARC has been some times slow and sometimes fast, Bhutto, who is here to attend a wedding, said.
Welcoming the resumption of bus services between Lahore and Delhi as a 'silver lining' in Indo-Pak relations, she said this would benefit the tourism sector of both countries adding there should be simplification of visa procedures to promote tourism.
The improvement of Indo-Pak relations would be for the good of the entire South Asia region, she said adding her Pakistan's People's Party is also making efforts to establish peace in the region.
Observing there has been hitches between the Indo-Pak relations especially during the military regimes, she said armed conflicts including the Kargil one also took place when the military took over in Pakistan.
The former Pakistani premier expressed unhappiness that the US is pressing for democracy in baghdad but "turning a blind eye" towards the military regime in Pakistan.
"Democracy is needed not only in Pakistan but in the entire South Asia region," she said adding extremism will prevail in the absence of democracy. Bureau Report