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A decision on Afghanistan's inclusion in the SAARC and giving China observer or dialogue partner status is likely to come up today (Sunday), reports BDNEWS.
Officials said the SAARC leaders are expected to discuss the matter when they meet in a retreat today at the state guesthouse Jamuna.
During their retreat, they will also go through the draft "Dhaka Declaration" which will be announced at the concluding ceremony later in the day.
Outgoing SAARC Chairman and Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz raised the issue of Afghanistan and China in the opening ceremony of the summit Saturday.
"This Dhaka summit will (also) be remembered as a landmark event for we would welcome the brotherly country of Afghanistan to the SAARC family," said Aziz.
The Pakistani Premier said inclusion of Afghanistan will undoubtedly enrich the organisation and add to its strength.
"We also welcome the interest of our friend and neighbour China to be associated with our organisation as an observer or dialogue partner," he said.
The SAARC standing committee, comprising foreign secretaries, and council of ministers, comprising foreign ministers, failed to reach consensus on the issue of Afghanistan.
On the other hand, they emphasised a special session of standing committee in first quarter of 2006 for determining modalities for giving a country observer or dialogue partner status.
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