Afghanistan has been deprived of the seat of Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

As per the schedule, it was the turn of Afghanistan to recommend a new Saarc secretary general, but the current regime in Kabul is not recognized by any of the member states of the regional organization following that country’s takeover by the Taliban in August 2021.

The Saarc body instead of offering the seat to Afghanistan has announced to make Golam Sarwar, a Bangladeshi career diplomat, its new secretary general. 

He has replaced Esala Ruwan Weerakoon of Sri Lanka. 

Sarwar has earlier served at the Bangladeshi embassy in Kathmandu. 

Saarc has secured the approval of the new Secretary General from all the member countries.

Afghanistan is a member of Saarc since April 2007. 

SAARC refused to give the post of central SAARC to the unrecognized Taliban government. 

The new Secretary General of SAARC will soon visit all the member countries including Pakistan.