Saarc Fostering Unity and Progress in South Asia through Shared Values

The President of Bangladesh Zia-ur-Rehman, has put all his energy into the creation of Saarc as he believed the people that were South Asia had common values that were built on their cultural, social and historical heritage. From 1997 to 1980, he travelled to Nepal, Pakistan, India and Srilanka and during his travels, he considered the possibility of establishing the regional framework of South Asia. He wrote to Nepal, Bhutan, India, The Maldives, Pakistan and Srilanka leaders. The outcome was that all state members attended the very first Saarc summit in Dhaka on December 15, 1985. They approved the charter. The main goals of Saarc's charter include the promotion of social progress and economic growth as well as developing culture and enhancing people's lives in South Asia. In the initial summit meeting, the suggestion was made from Pakistan that the actions of Saarc women's participation could be enhanced. The suggestion was well-liked and endorsed by other members. They agreed that progress and accomplishments are directly or indirectly related to women since society depends on women's involvement and stability.

Today, after India, Pakistan is the largest state in area and population. Its presence in India, with its dominant position, is a significant obstacle that makes Saarc an effective platform. The vast size of India, its massive population, and military have created tension in the region. This imbalance in physical form is the cause of mistrust and suspicion. Like the other Saarc members, Saarc, Pakistan has also been opposed to Indian Hegemony; however, besides its powerful influence over neighbouring countries, Pakistan has always attempted to assist The Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Srilanka to strengthen and stabilize its relationships with them.

Many factors led Pakistan to join Pakistan. On the regional scale, Pakistan's political, strategic and historical relationships have had a significant impact on its attitudes toward Saarc. The conflicts between Pakistan and India added to Pakistan's insecurity, and its power of nuclear weapons also brought a new level. Not least of all, this Kashmir dispute also pressured and required Pakistan to showcase its participation and capabilities in Saarc activities. However, two significant reasons compelled Pakistan to participate in Saarc's work. The first is that Saarc's structures are intergovernmental. This was a significant motivator for Pakistan's national interest, and there was no involvement in any security or political actions that could negatively impact Pakistan's national security issues.

Following the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, Pakistan's security related to its neighbours in the United States of America was signed in the decision to become a member of Saarc. Additionally, Saarc nations agreed to cooperate in the fight against terrorism and improve trade within the Saarc region. Both of these strengthened the organization and Pakistan's adherence to it.

One of the most significant benefits of Saarc is that it brings India and Pakistan closer to negotiating regarding their Kashmir issue. This means that for the first time in history, the leaders of both countries, India's prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the president of Pakistan, Pervaiz Musharraf, took an open and friendly relationship with each other during the January 2004 Islamabad Saarc summit. They also signed an agreement in which they pledged to restart discussions at the state level regarding Kashmir. Also, they agreed to sign the Saarc social charter during the same summit to address issues such as stabilization of the population as well as human resource development, female empowerment, mobilization of the young as well as promotion of health and nutrition as well as protection of children, all of which are crucial issues that affect the wellbeing and welfare of South Asian populations. In various ways, Saarc has also been working to increase people-to-people contacts in South Asia. Saarc workings have been hampered in the past because of inadequate funding and financial resources. Saarc needs to possess its resources for finance. It is dependent on the financial contributions from the member states who aren't keen on making Saarc more effective.