South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was founded to enhance regional economic cooperation through trade and joint ventures of foreign investment on the pattern of European Union (EU). Success of EU was on the basis of common political will to enhance cooperation, while this spirit is missing in SAARC, consisting of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan & Sri Lanka. Pakistan has played dynamic and objective role in making SAARC a successful entity. Head Office of SAARC in Islamabad has been built. It is a state of the art building to accommodate representative offices of all member countries as well as facilitate to arrange meetings, receive delegations, and holding seminars.
Most of the members are willing to work together. Scope of cooperation is tremendous.
Honourable Prime Minister of Bhutan in 2012 at a seminar stated that shared vision and collaboration efforts at public & private sector level can mitigate the impact of climate change. And cooperation in energy could help South Asia in its transformation from energy constraint to energy surplus region.
Similarly, Honourable Minister RishadBathiudeen, Minister of Industry & Commerce, Sri Lanka on the occasion of the completion of 25 glorious years of SAARC Chamber stated "There is no doubt that SAARC CCI is a platform that helps the region to advance in many aspects, including socio-economic development SAARC is not just important but essential for its people to advance regional integration. It is always a win win for all stakeholders".
The writer (Senior Vice President) on this occasion of Silver Jubilee said "Despite almost three decades - expected results are not visible. It is not for lack of ignorance or lack of creativity of its leaders, but it is political will that determines what member wants.
In the end I will request the PTI Govt. to persuade the member countries to set aside the differences and make this cooperation activity successful, which is in the interest of the people of South Asia Region.
The writer is the Chairman, United Business Group, Senior Vice President &Incharge Headquarters SAARC CCI Pakistan, Former President, FPCCI & LCCI and Chief Executive, Guard Group