The government has assured of 'sufficient security measures' for the participants and said ongoing spells of hartal would not affect the summit.

Meantime, all educational institutions in Dhaka will remain closed from February 5 to 7 for the summit, according to a government announcement.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Summit will be held on February 6-7.

The two-day 26th session of the Programming Committee, comprising high-officials from the seven Saarc states, begins today to deliberate on the reports of the Saarc technical committees, working groups and regional centres.

The foreign ministry yesterday said delegations from the member countries have already flown in to attend the meet.

Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan yesterday told reporters that the current spates of hartals would not affect the summit proceedings.

On the other hand, State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar told The Daily Star Sunday: "We believe our security arrangements are sufficient but we'll monitor the proceedings more closely."

The foreign ministry has meanwhile said the Programming Committee (PC) is mandated to consider the report of the Saarc Audio Visual Exchange (Save) Committee. Other issues to be deliberated by the PC include facilitation of the people in the region and promotion of South Asian identity.

The committee will submit its recommendations to the Saarc Standing Committee, comprising foreign secretaries of member countries, at the latter's meetings on February 3-4.

The Standing Committee will pass on the recommendations to the Council of Ministers, comprising foreign ministers of the Saarc countries, scheduled to sit on February 5 to set the summit's agenda.