11 February 2005	Friday	01 Muharram 1426

KARACHI, Feb 10: Speakers at a seminar on Thursday blamed bureaucratic hurdles, lack of political will, commitment, and sincerity among SAARC member states as reasons restricting realization of true potential benefits of regional cooperation.

They were speaking at a seminar on "What prevents SAARC from realizing its potential", organized by the Pakistan Press Foundation, at its Vicky Zeitlin Media Library, Press Centre Karachi.

They felt that SAARC member states should ignore political disputes as done by EU, ASEAN, and work for improving standard of life of their people.

Former ambassador Najmus Saqib Khan spoke of various reasons, including imbalance in the organization and attitude of governments which according him were preventing SAARC from realizing it's potential. He called for realizing tremendous benefits of regional trade.

"Franco-Germen reconciliation, trade between China-Taiwan and India-China provide SAARC states an opportunity to sign mutual trade accords, of course, retaining their stance on bilateral disputes and efforts to resolve them through dialogue" he added.

He said trade and economic benefits were now most important motivators for most nations. SAARC countries, especially India and Pakistan, should now accord trade and cooperation high priority and regularize trade. "If we don't do that, trade by irregular channels, smuggling, will continue."

Dr Moonis Ahmar of Karachi University said due to wrong policies of SAARC states governments, a majority of their natural resources potential were being wasted which could, otherwise, be used for economic progress, prosperity and improving quality of life in the region.

President SITE Association Mirza Ikhtiar Baig suggested setting aside political disputes and promote trade between SAARC states. Journalist Shamim-ur- Rahman also spoke.-PPI