KARACHI, Nov 19: Discussing implications of the recently concluded Saarc summit in Dhaka, speakers at a seminar on Saturday expressed the view that improvement in the socio-economic and security conditions of the member countries was possible only when the big partners showed maturity in attitudes.

They said that despite passage of two decades after its inception, Saarc still appeared to be at the starting-block as far as achievements of its objectives was concerned. Progress could be made once the forum’s decisions were implemented with a sense of unanimity, they stressed.

The seminar on Implications of 13th Saarc Summit was organized by the International Relations Department of the University of Karachi under the programme on ‘Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution.

Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Abdul Hannan, was the chief guest while Brig (r) A. R. Siddiqui presided over the two-session seminar held on the campus.

The host of the seminar, Programme Director Prof Monis Ahmar, said that formed in December 1985 in Dhaka, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation had a long way to go for implementing programmes on economic, trade, cultural, educational, communication, environmental and other areas of cooperation.

He said that unlike the EU and Asean, Saarc was still to overcome the impediments in giving practical shape to the concept of regional cooperation.

Hostage to Indo-Pakistan and other conflicts, Saarc faced enormous problems, he added, citing that the inability of the association’s members in giving final shape to the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (Safta) and their overall failure to address successfully the issues of terrorism, poverty alleviation, disaster management, drug trafficking, as well as reducing travel restrictions, had left much to be desired and commented.

Former ambassador Shahid Amin said that the Dhaka summit was neither a success nor a failure and it concluded with usual attitudes and good intentions. He said that inclusion of Afghanistan as member in the association was a good sign, but it was unlikely that India would appreciate the inclusion of China in the forum as observer.

Talking of the entrenched rivalries between India and Pakistan, Mr Amin noted that distrust and lack of confidence had not been helpful in Saarc’s progress and effectiveness, As such, observers had been made to consider what should be the priority, either to resolve the sharp difference first or address the issues of economic concerns.

“Despite confidence building measures, it appears that India is not ready to give up Kashmir or show any flexibility on the ground, while the suggestive course of action for both Pakistan and India was to enter into negotiation. World will be very happy and a genuine progress in the region will be seen only when India and Pakistan resolved the political differences on Kashmir issue,” he further said.

Discussing the economic implications of the summit, Dr Shahid Hasan Siddiqui said that enhanced interaction and actions of the countries of the region in the filed of economics and trade would enhance tremendously the rate of overall GDP of the members.

He said that increase in defence budgets by the member countries would not add to any good, while a compromise on security concerns and changes in attitude, sprit and will for a transformation could bring considerable economic gains and liberal trade, and would provide peaceful means of survival to all partners, big or small, in the region.

During question-answer session, one of the speakers said that Pakistan had not objected to the inclusion of Afghanistan in Saarc, but on the other side, it was also not clear that it would stand with Pakistan in the forum.

Dr Kaiser Bengali discussed the challenge of disaster management in South Asia and stressed the need for creating a joint management body could identify the nature of disasters in member countries and suggest locations for the establishment of crisis management centres.

It was also needed to be decided that who will foot the bill for the establishment and maintenance of the proposed disasters centres, he added, saying that whether the member countries would be asked to share the cost on the basis of their population, GNP or size or frequencies of disaster taking place within their territories.

Highlighting the salient features of the Dhaka Declaration, Mr Hannan remarked that at least this time, there was seriousness among the members who had expressed urgency in terms of action and cooperation.

The amount of goodwill generated during the conference was highly encouraging to face the common challenges and work for common advantages.

Referring to the philosophy viz-a-viz establishment of Saarc, he said the member countries must keep aside their political differences and discover new parameters for success and to make South Asian region a real model of development and economic stability.

Brig Siddiqui concluded that the major problems lied with Pakistan and India, but since 2004 they had been pursuing very wise and pragmatic policies, with the launch of a composite dialogue.