ISLAMABAD, Dec 18: A caucus of women parliamentarians on Thursday called for peace in South Asia, particularly in relation to India and Pakistan, to root out causes of abject poverty, disease, unemployment and political, economic and social injustices of which women and children were the worst sufferers.

A resolution passed by the caucus also expressed deep concern over the rise of militancy in South Asia and killing of hundreds of innocent women and children in the Mumbai terrorist attacks.

It condemned the Marriott hotel bombing in Islamabad and terrorist attacks in India and other parts of the world.

The resolution welcomed the restraint shown by the government and steps taken by it to forge political consensus and gain international support to deal with challenges posed by the Mumbai carnage.

It called upon Saarc to renew regional commitment and dedicate greater resources to combat poverty and underdevelopment, with special focus on women and children.

The lawmakers also called upon Saarc to evolve regional strategies to deal with the threat of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and to raise adequate resources for effective implementation of these strategies.