Assignment #1

Submitted to : Mam shehzada Afzal

Group members:
1. Rahamsha (081)
2. Maheen ( 073)
3. Khadija(047)
4. Hifza(045)
5.Muskan (115)
Topic : SAARC ( south Asian association of regional cooperation)
 SAARC ( south Asian association of regional cooperation)

Introduction to SAARC:
SAARC stands for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. It is an
intergovernmental organization comprising South Asian nations, aimed at promoting regional
cooperation and development. The member countries are geographically connected in the South
Asian region and share historical, cultural, and economic ties.

Background:
SAARC was established with the vision of promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the
South Asian region through cooperation among member states. The idea of regional cooperation
in South Asia was first proposed in the late 1940s and early 1950s. South Asia, comprising eight
countries with diverse cultures, languages, and histories, faced numerous challenges in terms of
economic development, poverty, and regional instability. To address these issues collectively and
promote cooperation, the idea of SAARC was conceived. However, the formal initiative for
SAARC was taken during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The member countries recognized the
importance of regional collaboration to address shared challenges and to accelerate economic
development.

Origin:
The idea of forming SAARC was first proposed by the Bangladeshi President Ziaur Rahman in
1980.The proposal for establishing SAARC was first discussed during the Dhaka Declaration in
1983, which was the launching of the Bangladesh Independence’s silver jubilee celebrations. The
Dhaka Declaration envisioned the creation of an economic and cultural union among South
Asian countries. This proposal later materialized into the formation of SAARC. The proposal
was accepted, and a summit was held in Dhaka in December 1985, where the South Asian
leaders signed the SAARC Charter. The Charter came into effect on December 8, 1985, officially
establishing SAARC.

Members:
SAARC initially began with seven founding members, and later an eighth member
joined. . It also includes observer countries.
1. Founding Members:
The founding members of SAARC are:
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Siri Lanka
2. Late Joined:
Afghanistan became the eighth member of SAARC in 2007, joining the organization 22 years
after its formation. Its accession was seen as a significant step towards fostering peace, stability,
and cooperation in the region. The reasons for Afghanistan not joining SAARC initially and
India’s interest in its membership are as follows:
Afghanistan’s inability to join SAARC initially was mainly due to the prolonged civil war and
political instability that the country experienced from the late 1970s until the early 2000s. The
Soviet invasion in 1979, followed by internal conflicts and the Taliban’s rise to power, made it
challenging for Afghanistan to consider regional cooperation during those tumultuous years.
India supported Afghanistan’s inclusion in SAARC due to strategic and economic reasons. India
recognized the importance of stabilizing Afghanistan and integrating it into regional initiatives to
promote peace and development in South Asia. By involving Afghanistan in SAARC, India
aimed to enhance regional connectivity, trade, and people-to-people contacts.
3. Observer Countries:
Observer countries are nations or international organizations that participate in SAARC’s
proceedings without having full membership rights. They have an interest in the activities of
SAARC and seek opportunities for collaboration. Observer countries can attend SAARC
summits and ministerial meetings as observers
Observer countries play a vital role in enhancing SAARC’s outreach and cooperation with non-
member states. Some reasons for having observer countries include:
a) Enhancing Collaboration: Observer countries can explore possibilities for economic,
political, and cultural collaboration with SAARC member countries.
b) Promoting Dialogue: Observer status allows non-member states to participate in
SAARC meetings, enabling them to engage in dialogue and share their perspectives on
regional issues.
c) Regional Geopolitics: Some observer countries may have strategic interests in South
Asia and want to keep track of regional developments.
d) Cultural and Historical Ties: Nations with historical or cultural links to the region may
seek observer status to enhance cultural exchange and people-to-people contacts.
e) Potential Future Membership: Becoming an observer can be a stepping stone for
eventual full membership in SAARC, as it provides an opportunity for closer engagement
and understanding of the organization’s workings.
The process to become an observer country in SAARC typically involves the following steps:
a) Expressing Interest: The country interested in obtaining observer status expresses its
desire to the SAARC Secretariat, indicating the reasons for seeking observer status and
the potential areas of cooperation.
b) Non-Interference Policy: The country seeking observer status must respect the principle
of non-interference in the internal affairs of SAARC member states.
c) Financial Contribution: Some level of financial contribution towards observer status
and participation in SAARC activities may be expected from the applicant country.
d) Evaluation and Approval: The SAARC member countries review the application and
consider factors such as the applicant country’s geographical proximity, historical ties,
and the potential benefits of its observer status to SAARC.
e) Consensus Decision: The decision to grant observer status requires consensus among all
SAARC member countries. If any member raises objections, the application may be
reconsidered or put on hold.
f) Formal Invitation: Once approved, the applicant country receives a formal invitation
from SAARC to attend the relevant summits and meetings as an observer.

Criteria of Membership
The criteria for membership in SAARC are defined in the SAARC Charter. To be eligible for full
membership, a country must meet the following criteria:
a) Geographical Location: The country should be located in South Asia.
b) Political Will: The country must demonstrate a willingness to participate in
regional cooperation and uphold the principles and objectives of SAARC.
c) Recognition: The country should be recognized as a sovereign state by the
international community.
d) Support from Existing Members: The applicant country needs the support of all
existing SAARC member countries for its membership.
e) Ability to Contribute: The country should have the capacity and willingness to
contribute to SAARC’s objectives and activities.

Process of Joining
The process of joining SAARC as a full member involves several steps and requires the
applicant country to fulfill the membership criteria mentioned above. Here is a detailed outline of
the process:
Step 1: Expression of Interest
The country interested in joining SAARC expresses its desire to the SAARC Secretariat,
indicating its intention to become a full member.
Step 2: Diplomatic Consultations
The SAARC Secretariat, upon receiving the expression of interest, communicates with the
applicant country’s government to understand its motivations and commitments to regional
cooperation.
Step 3: Formal Application
If the applicant country meets the membership criteria and demonstrates its commitment to
SAARC’s principles, it submits a formal application for membership to the SAARC Secretariat.
The application includes relevant information about the country’s political, economic, and social
situation.
Step 4: Evaluation and Review
The SAARC member countries review the application and assess the applicant country’s
eligibility for membership. Factors such as geographical location, political stability, and potential
contributions to SAARC’s objectives are taken into consideration.
Step 5: Consensus Decision
The decision to grant full membership requires consensus among all existing SAARC member
countries. If any member raises objections or concerns, further diplomatic consultations may be
undertaken to address the issues.
Step 6: Granting of Membership
If the applicant country receives the unanimous support of all existing SAARC member
countries, it is formally invited to join SAARC as a full member.
Step 7: Accession to the SAARC Charter
Once the applicant country accepts the invitation, it accedes to the SAARC Charter, formally
becoming a full member of SAARC.
Step 8: Participation in SAARC Activities
As a full member, the new country is entitled to participate in all SAARC activities, including
summits, ministerial meetings, and specialized forums, to promote regional cooperation and
development.
Please note that the process of joining SAARC may vary depending on the specific
circumstances and diplomatic considerations at the time of the application.

Purpose of formation:
The Purpose of the formation of (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) was to
promote regional Cooperation and developments among the countries in South Asia. SAARC
was established on December 8, 1985, when its charter was adopted by the seven founding
member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Objectives of SAARC
The Main Objectives of SAARC are as Follows:
 Promote Regional Cooperation:SAARC aims to foster Collaboration and cooperation
among its member countries in various areas of mutual interest and Concern.
 Enhance economic and social development:The organization seeks to accelerate
economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in South Asian region.
 Strengthen ties among member states:SAARC endeavors to improve understanding
and relations among member countries, promoting regional peace and stability.
 Collaborate on matters of Common Concern:The Organization Facilitates
collaboration on issues of shared interest, such as poverty alleviation, Agriculture, health,
education, and environmental protection.
 Encourage people to people Contacts:SAARC aims to foster people to people contacts,
exchanges, interactions among the citizens of member states to enhance understanding
and friendship
 Work towards regional integration:The Organization seeks to promote regional
integration and cooperation in trade, customs, transport and communication among other
areas.
 To promote the Welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality life.
 To Promote and Strengthen selective self- reliance among the countries of South Asia
 To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems.
 To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in Cultural and other Scientific
and technical fields.
 To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries.
 To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar aims and
purposes.

Achievements of SAARC:
SAARC had several regional centers and working groups to promote cooperation and Address
various regional issues among its member countries.

 SAARC Agricultural centre(SAC): located in Dhaka , Bangladesh and it conducts

research, training, and technology exchange programs related to Agriculture.
 SAPTA (South Asian preferential Trade Agreement):Signed in 1933, SAPTA aimed to
promote trade among member countries by reducing Tariffs and removing trade barriers.
It was later replaced by SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area) in 2006.
 SAFTA( South Asian Free trade Area):SAFTA came into effect in 2006 and aimed to
establish a free trade area among SAARC member countries by reducing tariffs on
various products. It aimed to boost intra-regional trade and Economic cooperation.
 SDF(SAARC development Fund):SDF was established in 2010 to provide financial
support for development projects in areas like infrastructure, poverty alleviation and
social development.
  SCCI( SAARC Chamber of Commerce and industry):SCCI, formed in 1992, aims to
promote private sector engagement and enhance economic cooperation among the
business communities of SAARC countries.
 SMC(SAARC Metrological Centre):SMC was established to facilitate the exchange of
metrological data and information among member countries of SAARC to improve
weather forecasting and disaster management. And it was located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
 The food and development banks , Agreement on Transportation, energy are important
steps in right direction
 Over the Last 30 years , despite extremely difficult political circumstances , SAARC has
managed to create situations, institutions and forums where Head of state have met for
talks
 SAARC has tackled important topics for the region such as a social charter, development
agreements and even the sensitive subject of Fighting terrorism.
 SAARC (Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Centre:Location: Nepal, works toward the
prevention and control of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/ AIDS in the SAARC region.It
facilitates collaboration and exchange of best practices among member countries.
 SAARC Human resource development Centre (SHRDC):It is Located in Islamabad
Pakistan, Main focus on human resource development by conducting training and
capacity-building programs for government officials, professionals and other stakeholders
in various fields.
 SDC( SAARC Documentation Centre):Location: New Delhi India Responsible for
collecting, preserving and disseminating information related to SAARC and its activities.
It serves as a knowledge hub for the organization.
 SAARC Cultural Centre:Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka aims to promote diverse
cultures of SAARC region.It organizes cultural events, exchanges and collaborations
among member countries.
 SAARC also works on some working groups that focus on specific areas of cooperation.
These working groups are created to address specific issues faced by the region, working
groups include:
1. Trade and Economic Matter
2. Poverty Alleviation
3. Biotechnology
4. Women, Youth and Children
5. Tourism
6. Law and order
7. Transport.

Organizational structure of SAARC

The structure of the organization are governed by the SAARC Charter. The organizational
structure of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC) is made up of Council
of Ministers, Standing committee, Technical committee, Programming committee and
Secretariat.
1) Meetings of the Heads of State or Government:
At the top, there is the council represented by the Heads of the government of the member
countries. It is the supreme policy making organ and meets ordinarily once a year. The meeting
of the heads of the states is known as SAARC Summit. The heads of state or government of all
member countries participate in the Summit to discuss and decide on important regional issues
and initiatives. In case the head of even one member states expresses his/her inability to attend
the meeting, then meeting is postponed.
2)Council of Ministers:
The Council of Ministers comprise of the Foreign Ministers of the SAARC Member States. They
meet ordinarily twice a year. Extraordinary session of the Council may be held by agreement
among the Member States.They meet to review and implement the decisions taken during the
Summit. The council of Ministers Directs the Secretariat and ensures that decisions made at the
summit are carried out.
Functions:
Council of Ministers has following functions:
a)Formulation of the policies of the ASSOCIATION;
b)Review of the progress of cooperation under the ASSOCIATION;
c)Decision on new areas of cooperation;
d)Establishment of additional mechanism under the ASSOCIATION as deemed necessary;
e)decision on other matters of general interest to the ASSOCIATION.
3)Standing committee:
The Standing Committee include the Foreign Secretaries of Member states. The Standing
Committee submit periodic reports to the Council of Ministers and make reference to it as and
when necessary for decisions on policy matters. The Standing Committee shall meet as often as
deemed necessary. It prepares the agenda for the Council of Ministers and monitors the progress
of regional cooperation.The Standing Committee may set up Action Committees comprising
Member States concerned with implementation of projects involving more than two but not all
Member States.
Functions:
The standing committee perform following functions:
a)Overall monitoring and coordination of programme of cooperation;
b) approval of projects and programme, and the modalities of their financing;
c) determination of inter-sectoral priorities;
d) mobilization of regional and external resources
f) Identification of new areas of cooperation based on appropriate studies.
4)Programming committee:
The Programming Committee consists of the Joint Secretary-level Officials of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of the SAARC Member States and it was set up by the Fifth Session of the
Standing Committee (Dhaka, 4 December 1985) to assist the Standing Committee. The Fortieth
Session of the Standing Committee (Maldives, 19 February 2014) granted Charter Body status to
the Programming Committee. This committee helps in coordinating and evaluating regional
programs and projects initiated by member countries. The Programming Committee meets prior
to the meetings of the Standing Committee. The Programming Committee also meets as a stand-
alone session.
5)Technical committee:
Technical Committees comprising representatives of Member States shall be responsible for the
implementation, coordination and monitoring of the programmes in their respective areas of
cooperation. The Technical Committees shall submit periodic reports to the Standing Committee.
The Chairmanship of the Technical Committees shall normally rotate among Member States in
alphabetical order every two years. The Technical Committees may use these mechanisms and
modalities, if and when considered necessary: Meetings of heads of national technical agencies,
meetings of experts in specific fields, contact amongst recognised centres of excellence in the
region.
Functions:
The technical committee have following functions:
a)Determination of the potential and the scope of regional cooperation in agreed areas;
b) formulation of programmes and preparation of projects;
c) determination of financial implications of sectoral programmes;
d) formulation of recommendations regarding apportionment of costs;
e) implementation and coordination of sectoral programmes;
f) Monitoring of progress in implementation.
6)The Secretariat:
There shall be a Secretariat of the ASSOCIATION. The SAARC Secretariat is based in
Kathmandu, Nepal, and acts as the organization’s Administrative body. Secretary General is the
head of Secretariat. Secretary-General is appointed for a three-year term by election by a council
of Ministers from member states. Secretary-General is assisted by eight deputies, one from each
nation, who also reside in Kathmandu. SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu on 16
January 1987 by Bangladeshi diplomat Abul Ahsan, who was its first Secretary-General, and was
inaugurated by King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah of Nepal. Since its creation, its member nations
have contributed to a total of fourteenth General Secretaries. Golam Sarwar from Bangladesh is
the current Secretary-General of SAARC, having assumed charge on 4th March 2023.

SAARC Specialized Bodies

SAARC has established specialized bodies such as SAARC Arbitration Council (SARCO),
South Asian University (SAU), SAARC Development Fund (SDF) Secretariat and SAARC
Regional Standards Organization (SARSO) which have different mandates and structures.
 SAARC Development Fund (SDF):
The 13th SAARC Summit (Dhaka, 12-13 November 2005) decided to establish SAARC
Development Fund (SDF) as a comprehensive funding mechanism with the provision of three
Windows (Social, Economic and Infrastructure). SDF Secretariat was formally commissioned in
April 2010 in Thimphu during the Sixteenth SAARC Summit with the primary objective of
funding project-based collaboration. Since then, SDF has been funding projects approved by the
SDF Board under its Social Window. SDF is governed by a Board consisting of representatives
from the Ministry of Finance of the Member States. The Governing Council of SDF (Finance
Ministers of Members States) oversees the functioning of the Board.
 South Asian University:
The Agreement for the Establishment of South Asian University was signed by the Ministers of
Foreign/External Affairs of the member states of SAARC during the Fourteenth SAARC Summit
(New Delhi, 4 April 2007). As per Article 7 of the Agreement of the SAU, it is necessary for the
MS to recognize the Degrees and Certificates awarded by the SAU at par with the respective
Degrees and Certificates awarded by the National Universities / Institutions of the Member
States. The Governing Council of SDF (Finance Ministers of Member states) oversees the
functioning of the Board.
 South Asian Regional Standard Organization (SARSO):
The fifteenth SAARC Summit paved the way for establishing SARSO in order to harmonize
standards and promote cooperation in the fields of metrology, accreditation and conformity
assessment for enhancing the capacity of the respective national institutions in carrying out their
technical tasks. The agreement on SARSO came into effect on 25th August 2011.
 SAARC Arbitration Council:
The agreement on SARCO was signed during the Thirteenth Summit and came into effect on 2
July 2007. SARCO was established with a view to resolve cost-effective settlement of disputes
via arbitration within the region.

Challenges :
Here are some of the challenges that SAARC faces
 Terrorism:
Terrorism is a major threat to peace and security in the South Asian region. This has made
it difficult for SAARC to cooperate on issues such as cross-border security and
combating terrorism.
 Climate change: Climate change is a growing challenge for the South Asian
region. This is due to the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters, such as
floods and droughts. Climate change is also expected to have a negative
impact on the region’s economy and food security.
 History of conflicts:
The South Asian region has a long history of conflict, and this has been a major obstacle
to regional cooperation. The ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, for example,
has prevented SAARC from achieving its full potential.In 1999, the Kargil War broke out
between India and Pakistan. This war was fought in the Kargil district of Kashmir, which
is disputed territory between the two countries. The war lasted for 60 days and resulted in
the deaths of thousands of people. The war had a major negative impact on SAARC, and
it led to a decline in cooperation between the member states.
 Mutual mistrust:
Both countries have a deep mistrust of each other, which is rooted intheir history of
conflict. This mistrust makes it difficult for them to trust each other enough to cooperate
on anything.
 Low intra-regional trade:
The level of intra-regional trade in South Asia is very low, compared to other regions in
the world. This is due to a number of factors, including high tariffs, non-tariff barriers,
and poor infrastructure.For example, the average tariff rate on goods traded between
SAARC countries is 20%, which is much higher than the average tariff rate of 10% in the
European Union. This high tariff rate makes it difficult for businesses to trade across
borders in South Asia.Additionally, there are a number of non-tariff barriers that also
make it difficult to trade in South Asia. These barriers include quotas, licensing
requirements, and technical barriers to trade. Finally, the poor infrastructure in South Asia
also makes it difficult to trade. The roads, railways, and ports in the region are not well-
developed, which makes it difficult to transport goods across borders.
 Development of people in rural areas:
More than 70% of the population in South Asia lives in rural areas. However, these areas
are often neglected by the government, and this has led to high levels of poverty and
inequality. For example, the poverty rate in rural South Asia is 30%, which is much
higher than the poverty rate in urban South Asia (10%). Additionally, the inequality gap
between rural and urban areas is also very high.This lack of development in rural areas
has a number of negative consequences. It leads to high levels of poverty, inequality, and
unemployment. It also makes it difficult to address other challenges, such as terrorism
and climate change.
 Domination of India:
 India is the largest and most powerful country in South Asia. This dominance has made it
difficult for SAARC to function as a truly equal partnership among its member states.
 Lack of trust and cooperation :
The political differences among SAARC member states have also led to a lack of trust
and cooperation. This has made it difficult to reach agreements on key issues, such as
trade and investment.

Standing in IR:
SAARC has a relatively low standing in international relations. This is due to a number of
factors, including the region’s history of conflict, the lack of economic integration among its
member states, and the dominance of India in the region. Despite the challenges it faces, SAARC
has made some progress in recent years and its standing in international relations could improve
in the future. Here are some of the positive aspects of SAARC’s standing in IR:
 Promoting economic growth and development: SAARC has been successful in
promoting cooperation in the areas of trade, tourism, and disaster management. This has
helped to boost economic growth and development in the region.
 Mediating conflicts: SAARC has played a role in mediating conflicts between its
member states. For example, the organization helped to broker a ceasefire between India
and Pakistan in 2003.
 Promoting cultural cooperation: SAARC has promoted cultural cooperation among its
member states. This has helped to foster a sense of regional identity and understanding.
 Providing a platform for dialogue: SAARC provides a platform for dialogue between
its member states. This has helped to improve relations between the countries and to
resolve some of the challenges they face.
The organization has made some progress in recent years and it is possible that its standing could
improve in the future. However, there are still some challenges that SAARC needs to address,
such as the history of conflict and the lack of economic integration. If SAARC is able to address
these challenges, it could become a more effective force for peace and cooperation in South Asia.

How to overcome challenges in SAARC ?

Overcoming challenges in SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) requires
a concerted effort from all member countries to foster cooperation and address the region’s
pressing issues. SAARC is an organization of South Asian countries established to promote
regional integration and cooperation. However, like any multilateral organization, it faces various
challenges. Here are some key steps to overcome these challenges:

 Political Will and Commitment:

The most crucial factor in overcoming challenges in SAARC is the genuine political will and
commitment of member countries to work together for the collective good of the region. This
involves putting aside bilateral disputes and focusing on common regional interests.
  Dialogue and Diplomacy:
Regular high-level dialogue among member countries is essential to address issues and build
trust. Diplomatic efforts should aim at resolving historical conflicts and fostering a peaceful
environment conducive to cooperation.

 Focus on Common Interests:

SAARC member countries should identify and prioritize common regional interests. By focusing
on issues that benefit all nations, it becomes easier to build consensus and cooperation.
 Trade and Economic Integration:
Promote regional trade and economic integration through reduced trade barriers, improved
transport infrastructure, and harmonization of trade policies. This will foster economic growth
and development in the region.
 Addressing Security Concerns:
Collaborate on tackling security challenges, such as terrorism, transnational crime, and border
disputes. A collective approach is more effective in addressing these issues than individual
efforts.
 Promote People-to-People Contact:
Encourage cultural exchanges, educational programs, and tourism among member countries.
Increased people-to-people contact fosters mutual understanding and trust among nations.

 Harnessing Technology and Innovation:

Utilize technology and innovation for the betterment of the region. Cooperation in areas like
renewable energy, information technology, and healthcare can bring significant benefits to all
member countries.

 Resource Sharing:
Share expertise, resources, and best practices among member nations. Collaboration in areas like
agriculture, disaster management, and healthcare can lead to better outcomes for all.

 Inclusive Decision-Making:
Ensure that all member countries have an equal voice in decision-making processes within
SAARC. This will promote a sense of ownership and commitment to the organization’s goals.

 Flexibility and Gradual Progress:

Recognize that progress may be slow and challenges may be complex. Adopt a flexible approach
and be willing to take gradual steps toward achieving regional cooperation
The success of SAARC depends on the collective efforts of its member countries and their
willingness to rise above individual interests for the greater good of the entire region.

Role of Pakistan in SAARC

Pakistan is one of the member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC). SAARC is an organization comprising eight South Asian nations,
including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
The main objective of SAARC is to promote regional cooperation and development in various
areas, including economic, social, cultural, and technological domains.
Pakistan’s role in SAARC, like other member countries, is to actively participate in the
organization’s activities and work towards achieving the common goals set by the association.
Some of the key roles and contributions of Pakistan in SAARC include:

 Promoting Regional Cooperation: Pakistan collaborates with other member countries

to enhance regional cooperation in various fields, including trade, energy, agriculture,
and tourism, among others.
 Economic Integration: Pakistan works towards increasing economic integration among
SAARC countries by fostering trade ties, removing trade barriers, and promoting
investments within the region.
 Addressing Regional Issues: Pakistan participates in discussions and initiatives to
address common regional challenges, such as poverty alleviation, food security, climate
change, and disaster management.
 Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges: Pakistan actively engages in cultural
events and exchanges to foster greater understanding and appreciation among the
peoples of the SAARC countries.
 Participation in SAARC Summits and Meetings: As a member, Pakistan attends
SAARC Summits and other meetings where important decisions and policy frameworks
are discussed and formulated.
It’s essential to note that SAARC’s effectiveness and progress have been affected by various
factors, including political differences and conflicts among member countries. As such, the
extent of Pakistan’s involvement and the outcomes of SAARC initiatives may vary depending on
the regional context at any given time.