1- Role of Pakistan . Dr.Abdul Qadeer khan was the key players in starting the Nuclear program of Iran, IAEA found the samples of the nuclear warhead which actually belongs to Pakistan .

Read a book by Gordon Corera, Shopping for Bombs: Nuclear Proliferation, Global Insecurity, and the Rise and Fall of A. Q. Khan's Nuclear Network. it will tell you the whole story.

Read these two reports to know how much western powers are willing to stop this nuclear program.

http://www.foia.cia.gov/2020/2020.pdf

http://www.bipartisanpolicy.org/site...l%20062210.pdf

Stuxnet (sorry i spelled it wrongly )

Institute for Science and International Security › ISIS Reports › Iran › Did Stuxnet Take Out 1,000 Centrifuges at the Natanz Enrichment Plant?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/16/wo...pagewanted=all

Stuxnet - The New York Times

Mossad's Miracle Weapon: Stuxnet Virus Opens New Era of Cyber War - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International


killing of Iranian Nuclear Scientists

Sabotaging Iran's Nuclear Program: Mossad Behind Tehran Assassinations, Says Source - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International

here are few documents about the UN sanctions on Iran , this shows how UN is working as tool to pursue anti-Iranian agenda of US and Israel

Resolutions on Iran


I read a cover story about this series of killing in international page of The Nation tomorrow i will find it and will give u the link. it would be of great help.

Iranian nuclear plant is a great threat for israel . mossad and CIA are woring together to sabotage Iranian nuclear program. If Iran would be a nuclear power it will counter the Isareali hegemony in the region which Israel cannot afford.

Pak-Sino Relations:

Outline:

• Background-Recognition Of People’s Republic Of China:
• First Meeting Of The Prime Ministers:
• China’s Membership Of UNO:
• Sino-India Border Conflict And Pakistan:
• 1965 And 1971 Indo-Pak Wars:
• Pak-Sino Relations During 1970s:
• Pakistan’s Support To China In National Issue.
• China’s Support On Afghan Issue:
• China’s Support On Pakistan’s Nuclear Tests:
• China’s Support During Kargil War:
• US-Led Anti-Terrorism War And Paki-Sino Relations:
• Reliance On Strong Military-To-Military Relations:
• Growing Economic Relations:
• Pakistan’s Entry Into SCO:
• Mutual Strategic Concern’s About India:
• Growing US Regional Role:
• Conclusion


Background-Recognition Of People’s Republic Of China:

Pakistan was the first Islamic country and third non-communist state to accord recognition to the people’s republic of china in January 1950. Currently Pakistan and China are enjoying warm and friendly relations which have gone from strength to strength since their inception in 1950s.

First Meeting Of The Prime Ministers:

The premiers of both the nations laid the foundation of these relations during Bandung Conference. Chinese premier Chou En Lai and his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ail Bogra were the architects of this historic relationship which was destined to prove unprecedented in the annals of international relations.

China’s Membership Of UNO:

The actual consolidation between relations started in the early 1960s, when Pakistan changed its stance and supported China’s seating in the UNO in 1961.

Sino-India Border Conflict And Pakistan:

In 1962, during China-India border conflict Pakistan had to face pressure from its western allies UK and US. However, Pakistan brushed aside the pressure and supported China whole-heartedly. As a result, the two countries amicably negotiated and signed an agreement on the demarcation of their common border in March 1963.

1965 And 1971 Indo-Pak Wars:

During 1965 Indo-Pak war, China played a commendable role in its support to Pakistan in achieving ceasefire by issuing stern warning to India. Following the war, China also in an attempt to compensate for war losses, supported Pakistan with military equipment including tanks and aircraft. During 1960s, Pakistan-China relations evolved on firm footings of mutual trust and confidence.

During 1971 Indo-Pak war Chinese leaders in a message to Pakistan’s President Yahya Khan assured full support against India and Soviet Union. China also openly declared India as an aggressor. China also extended armed aid to Pakistan at this stage. Thus, the relations further strengthened.

Pak-Sino Relations During 1970s:

In the decade of 1970, Pak reciprocated by supporting China internationally. It supported China in its border confrontation with Soviet Union, Pakistan was instrumental in Dr.Kisisnger’s visit to china in July 1971 and President Nixon’s visit to Beijing in Feb 1972.

Further, the Indian nuclear explosion in 1974 introduced a new dimension in strategic balance in the region and gave a fresh impetus to expanding Pak-China defence cooperation. Between 1971 and 1878, China assisted Pakistan in building two defence related mega-projects, first, the Heavy Rebuild Factory for T-59 tanks and the second, and F-6 Aircraft Rebuild Factory.

Pakistan’s Support To China In National Issue.

Throughout the 1980s, Pak-Sino relations continued to develop in a comprehensive relationship. Pakistan always supported chian in all issues important to Chinese national interests such as sovereignty over Hong Kong, Taiwan and Tibet and issue relating human rights and democracy.

China’s Support On Afghan Issue:

The next milestone in Pakistan-China relations was the period between 1979 and 1988, when Soviet troops occupied Afghanistan and defied world demand to pull out its troops from Afghanistan. Millions of Afghan refugees fled from their homeland and sought refuge in the refugee camps on the Pakistan’s soil. However, [Pakistan faced the situation bravely. It not only provided to afghan refugees but also provided all assistance for the training of Afghan Mujahedeen. In this hour of need, China extended moral support to Pakistan.

China’s Support On Pakistan’s Nuclear Tests:

Following the withdrawal of Soviet Troops from Afghanistan in 1999-89, the strategic dynamics in the region changed once again. Throughout the 1970s, Pakistan remained under the USA sanctions and chian was the primary source for military hardware procurements. After the Indian nuclear tests, the strategic balance in South Asia was changed; China expressed its understanding of Pakistan’s compulsion to go nuclear. It supported Pakistan to establish strategic balance in South Asia by conducting its own nuclear tests.

China’s Support During Kargil War:

In 1999, during the Kargil war between the two nuclear states, India and Pakistan, China adhered to a strict neutral position. China was concerned over the possibility of escalation of the conflict, and asked both countries to defuse tensions. During the Indo-Pak military stand-off in 2000-2001, China continued with its position of neutrality and played an important role in defusing tensions between India and Pakistan through telephone diplomacy.

US-Led Anti-Terrorism War And Paki-Sino Relations:

President Musharraf’s visit to People’s Republic of China on December 20, 2001 as an event of special importance between the two countries as it conveyed a strong signal to the world over that Pak-China relations could not be affected by Pakistan’s joining US-led anti-terrorism coalition and its improved relations with the West.

Pakistan’s side was likely to renew its commitment that China would continue to enjoy the highest priority in the country’s foreign policy. President’s visit gave a new boost to mutual beneficial relations and help strengthened traditional bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. China understood and supported Pakistan’s decision made in the light of its national interests and that time situation.

Pakistan’s emergence as a key partner to US led anti-terrorism war did not affect Pak-China relations because at the political level both countries have unanimity of views on issues like the war on terrorism, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Iranian nuclear program.

Reliance On Strong Military-To-Military Relations:

Military relations have long been the most important and vibrant component in China-Pakistan relations. Bilateral military Cooperation is “usually strong” and ranges from naval cooperation to combined military and anti-terror exercises.

After the event of 9/11, anti-terrorism related cooperation between the two countries has consistently expanding. On August 6, 2004, China and Pakistan conducted their first joint military exercises named “Friendship 2004” in Xinjiang. In April 2005, during Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to Islamabad the two sides signed a treaty of friendship, cooperation and good neighbouring relations as well as combating terrorism and extremism.

In order to enhance military-to-military cooperation, both the countries conducted a joint maritime search-and-rescue exercise in Shanghai. This was the first time for the navy of (PLA) to conduct joint exercise with a foreign navy. Similarly, in November 2005, during their visit to Pakistan, Chinese naval ships conducted second joint maritime search-and rescue exercise with Pakistan navy. This was again the first time for the navy of PLA to conducting a joint exercise in waters abroad. Defence production-related cooperation has also expanded.

Growing Economic Relations:

Today’s China is an economic juggernaut. It has world’s fastest growing economy for more than 20 years and continues to grow at a blistering pace of 9% a year. Nearly 70% of Pakistan exports to China are cotton yarn and cotton fabric. China contributed $198m for the construction of Gwadar port’s $250m phase. The first phase, which was built by the Chinese construction firm, was completed ahead of premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to Pakistan in April 2005. China has also agreed in principles for funding for the second phase of the port, which will have nine more berths, an approach channel cable for large oil-tankers vessels, strong terminal and related infrastructure facilities.

Many projects have been completed with Chinese assistance and these include, Karakoram highway, First phase of the Gwadar port, Chashma-I nuclear power station and machine tool factory. The projects now underway with Chinese assistance include, the second phase of the Gwadar port, Chashma-II nuclear power plant, Saindak Cooper mines development, Gomal Zam Dam, and several oil and gas exploration schemes.

Besides China is investing in a number of other projects like $ 2.6bn Kohala project and $8bn Bunji Dam project. The bilateral trade between Pak and Chian rise from $ibn in 2002 to $6.8bn in 2009. Chinese Premier desires this trade should be brought to the level of $10bn.

The size of Chinese business in Pakistan is growing. The potential for growth of Pak-China economic relations is enormous, provided that the process remains on track and certain enabling conditions for future growth are successfully created.

Pakistan’s Entry Into SCO:

The overall geo-strategic environment for regional cooperation is gradually becoming more favourable. China supported Pakistan’s membership to Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Pakistan’s entry into the SCO as an observer and China’s entry into the South Asian Association for regional Cooperation as an observer, would allow Pak-Chian bilateral economic relations to grow from a regional perspective. Also, there is a convergence of economic interests at the strategic level, especially in the areas of energy, security and communication networks. Economic cooperation has taken centre stage, while defence and security related cooperation has assumed a new dimension. People-to-people contacts are increasing at all levels in the civil societies. All these indicators point the fact that Pak-China relations will remain on the track of constant growth in all areas of mutual benefit.

Mutual Strategic Concern’s About India:

India remains a central force of China’s and Pakistan’s geographical concern, dating back to a time when the Soviet Union was India’s principle patron. Both China and Pakistan have similar geographical and historical concerns with respect to India. These include:

i) Shared borders with India, in Pakistan’s northeast and in China’s southeast.
ii) A history of hostility and confrontation with India.
iii) A mutual interest in manoeuvring to balance or contain India’s power and influence in the region.

Both China and Pakistan also have compelling reasons for cooperating with other to avoid being a sole focus of India’s strategic attention. China and Pakistan appear to view their political, military and economic cooperation as a tool with which they can counter India’s power by trying to bind India’s activities within a South Asia context and to limit India’s connections with resource-rich Central Asia. Sino-Pak security cooperation also helps to tie down Indian troops in Kashmir, whee India, China and Pakistan all have territorial claims.

Growing US Regional Role And Its Implications:

Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the growing US role in Central and South Asia also has troubled Chinese leaders and raised many new issues in China’s relationship with Pakistan. This is a two-edge concern. On the one hand, they noted, the United States and China, share a common interests in working for Pakistan’s stability and political and economic viability, and so China is comfortable with US actions which help support Pakistan’s economy and bolster the stability of its regime. On the other hand, China tends to view the US war efforts in Afghanistan and its growing involvement with Pakistan as a catalyst for regional unrest, making China uncomfortable with the US role. A failure of US could lead at best to further instability in Pakistan, or at worst to the installation of a fundamental religious government in Islamabad.

Conclusion: A Futuristic Strategy

In view of the regional situation and the impact of developments at the global level, a proper strategy for security in the region should focus on the following facts.

• There should be no doubt that the region has been in the throes of instability because of mutual conflicts between the states of the region as well as because of the proxy wars of global powers. This region is one of the most backward areas in the world, in terms of development of human resources. It is, therefore, necessary to give attention to economic and social development.

• In the present day world, which has shrunk to a global village, stability is impossible to achieve without preventing and eliminating the danger of aggression from any country. Adoption of a common strategy for meeting the challenge of hegemonic designs, whether at regional or global level, is becoming inevitable. China and Pakistan have exhibited exemplary cooperation in this regard. Maintaining these good relations and keeping the level of cooperation high, efforts should be made to include other countries of the region in any such scheme of mutual cooperation and working together. It is pertinent to note here that relations between Pakistan and Russia have improved during the last few years, while the relationship between China and Russia has become stronger. The need is to come up with a common vision and a scheme for joint actions, taking along the Central Asian states.

• Instability in Afghanistan gives rise to instability in the whole region, besides being an obstacle in the way of full use of resources in the region for economic development. No doubt, this is a formidable challenge and interests of different countries even conflict with each other, at times, the common destiny requires that Afghanistan’s neighbors should increase mutual consultations and contacts and find out some common strategy. It should not be forgotten that instability in Afghanistan is exploited by the outsiders for their own intervention and presence in the region.

• A review of the defense capabilities and technological development of the countries in the region establishes that India’s efforts about acquiring latest, sophisticated military equipment along with developing its own nuclear and missile programs have Pakistan as their first target, and China as the second. However, defense strategies of both the countries and their close relations have prevented it from committing any aggression. It is necessary to keep a check on India’s growing war capabilities.

• Besides the hegemonic designs of India, the prolonged Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan poses a grave threat to regional security. Because of deep public emotions on both sides, the two countries cannot resolve the issue by themselves. All bilateral efforts have invariably failed to produce any tangible results, let alone a lasting solution of the contentious issue. It is, therefore, inevitable for the international community and the neighbors to play their role and try to enforce a judicious solution to it for the sake of peace in the region. Being a major country in the region as well as being a neighbor of both Pakistan and India, China can play a role in diffusing tension between Pakistan and India. It can play a better role than any ‘outside’ power. Obviously, no outside country can be as sincere in, or in as much need of, peace in the region as those situated here.

• Along with the Kashmir issue, the question of Palestine and other problems are symbols of injustices committed in the past, yet they are victims of indifference of the international community and institutions. Continued insensitivity of the international community has turned political movements in these areas into armed struggles, which, in return, has led to an unending chain of violence and counterviolence. Doubts and suspicions over the US-led war against terrorism carry weight: that it is more about serving self-interests rather than elimination of terrorism, that this war has in fact increased the dangers to world peace. Lest these suspicions come true and the situation get further aggravated, the need is to make international institutions stronger and more effective. Along with recognizing movements for right of self-determination and distinguish between freedom struggle and terrorism, these institutions should be able to resist the US unilateralism and the US approach of bypassing international law and norms. Otherwise, wide-spread anger and frustration would feed those who can go to any extent of use of force for achieving their ends.

• While terrorism is being condemned everywhere, proper attention has not been paid to its causes. Terrorist activities in which a human beings sacrifice their lives indicate to the height of frustration. This frustration is there among the Muslim masses because their genuine freedom struggles are being suppressed by repressive regimes, on the one hand, while, on the other, their leaderships do not represent their sentiments, nor do international institutions and powers exhibit any judicious approach or inclination in solving their problems.

@ ROSHAN: sir ! can you please tell me what are the sources of your material?from where do you extract mostly?and also,when are you intended to appear in CE?

__________________
*you can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him*-leo aikman!

Dear i referred dawn, jahangir's world times, contemporary affairs by imtiaz shahid.

unfortunately last year when i prepared these notes i didnt hav access to net, but now i am getting great help from net too, refer tribune, www.pakarticleshub.com, the news, and google is of great help.

I took my first attempt this year waiting for result and also continuing preparation, wat abt u dear?

Pakistan And The Central Asian States:

Introduction:

Pakistan’s relations with the Central Asian Republics have made good progress during the past few years. The Central Asian States (CAS), i.e., Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are located on historical Silk Route. The region has adjoining borders with South Asia, West Asia, China and Russia and is of great geo-strategic and politico-economic importance. Its potential is attracting the attention of extra regional powers.

Pakistan-Central Asian relations are based on geographical proximity, common history, religion, culture, traditions, values and destiny. Pakistan and these states can work together in matters of security, stability and development of the region.

They can collaborate in numerous areas such as scientific and technical fields, banking, insurance, information technology, pharmaceutical industry, tourism and media. The economies of CAS and Pakistan are complementary to each other. There is cooperation in several spheres notably, war against terrorism, combating religious extremism and drug trafficking.

ECO, Pakistan And Central Asian States:

• Pakistan and Central Asian States are also the members of Economic Cooperation Organization; it provides a good opportunity for the Heads of States and Government to meet.

• Bilateral meetings on the sidelines offer a closer focus on bilateral relations.

Common Security Policy:

• There is a desire in Pakistan that the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) of the CAS, which is basically an economic grouping, should try to play to assume a political role and in due course of time also aspire to the possibility of geopolitical and geo-economic role.

• ECO may help in adopting a common security policy on similar grounds as pursued by EU in the European States combating religious extremism and Terrorism.

Trade And Economic Cooperation:
• Pakistan should concentrate on the economic and trade ties with CAS.

• An important agreement has been concluded with Germany for a rail-road from Hamburg to /Shanghai, through Eastern Europe, Moscow, Tashkent, Kabul, Lahore, Delhi and Shanghai.

• This would open the rich mineral deposits of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan for exploration and export by Pakistan and through the Arabian sea again, with a new railway road from the Khyber Pass to the Russian land.

Investing In Untapped Natural Resources Of CAS:

• The Caspian Sea in Central Asia contains the world’s largest untapped oil and gas resources.

• All countries in the region are getting close to CAS and they geared up their trade.

• Pakistan’s loans of $ 10 to 30 million to each of the CAS and its commitment to cooperate in the building of $ 500 m hydel power station in Tajikistan are some of the many indicators of its keen wish to assist them on their economic development.

Direct Air Link:

• The expansion of PIA’s air network to Tashkent in Uzbekistan and Alma Ata in Kazakhstan is a major step forward in cementing ties with these two states.

Cooperation In Admission To OIC:

• Pakistan cooperated with CAS in their admission to the organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

Communication Network And Media Exchange:

• Radio Pakistan is working on projects to strengthen its service for the Central Asian region so that the people there can be informed and educated about Pakistan in their own native languages.

• An expansion of Pakistan Television’s Transmission facilities in Peshawar can enable it to beam its TV programmes to the entire Central Asian region, covering all of Afghanistan as well.

Establishment Of Joint Economic Commission:

• Pakistan developed institutionalized arrangement to promote cooperation in the economic and commercial fields.

• For this purpose Joint Economic Commissions (JECs) have been established with all the Central Asian States.

Technical Assistance Programme:

• Under Technical Assistance Programme initiated in 1992-93, Pakistan provided training facilities, which are fully funded.

• The programme includes courses ranging from English language, banking and accountancy to diplomacy.

• These have contributed to better understanding and closer cooperation. Pakistan wishes to keep up the momentum.

Suggestions:

Following measures and implementations will improve the ties between Pakistan and CAS.

i) Pakistan An Attraction Of Shortest Land Route:

Pakistan would enjoy the role of middleman between the SAARC, ECO and EEC and the attraction of the shortest land route to the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf and the Black Sea would clearly irk Russia.

ii) Encourage Mutual Trade:

The government of Pakistan, despite its economic difficulties, should provide more credit facilities to the Central Asian States to encourage mutual trade and the setting up of stable banking channels.

iii) Better Port Facilities For Handling The Transit Trade:

Despite their ethnic bonds with Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan, the CA States can benefit more from Pakistan’s port facilities, trade and commerce with the countries in entire Southern Hemisphere.

The port of Abadan and Bader Abbas in Iran and Karachi port in Pakistan can handle this transit trade by expanding their facilities rapidly. The Tajik capital of Dushanbe is about 3000 km from Bander Abbas in Islam and about 2200 km from Karachi. While the Black Sea port of Odessa for access to the Mediterranean is about 4200 km away.

iv) Speedy Implementation Of Projects.

Bilaterally and through the ECO, many schemes and projects are rapidly emerging, whose speedy implementation would be to their mutual advantage.

v) Expertise in Banking System To Be Shared:

A strong modern banking system capable of operating internationally is a dire need of all Central Asian States and Pakistan has the expertise and the infrastructure to assist them in this direction.

vi) Joint Shipping Company To Be Established:

The landlocked Central Asian States can even set up a joint shipment company with Pakistan under the aegis of the ECO to handle a large port of their transit trade.

vii) Gwadar Port An Asset For Pakistan And The CAS:

If Pakistan speeds up the development of the Gwadar port on the Baluchistan coast into a large-size modern port, it can be an asset for this province as well as for the CAS.

viii) Trade Via The Land Route:

Kazakhstan’s ruling leaders, who are energetically improving their relations with Beijing, have shown interest in building rail and road links with Urumchi, capital of the Chinese province of Xinjiang, and thus using the Karakoram Highway between Pakistan and China for trade via the land route.

ix) Cheap Air Cargo Service:

A cheap and regular air cargo service between Pakistan and the CAS is the need of the hour.

x) Dynamic Railway Network:

The Pakistan railway network should be linked via Iran with Turkmenistan.

xi) Pakistan TO Invite Senior Editors Of Newspaper Of CAS:

Pakistan should invite senior editors of newspapers of the CAS to Pakistan and provide them with ample opportunities to know facts about Pakistan’s economic development and industrialisation.

xii) Business Encouragement Backed By The Government Of Pakistan In CAS:

With Government encouragements, Pakistani entrepreneurs can set up industrial units in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other CAS.

xiii) Cooperation Between The Universities:

There is immense scope for cooperation between the Universities of Pakistan and those in the CAS. Pakistan can learn a great deal from the CAS which have made nearly 95% of their population literate.

xiv) Regional Security Is TO Be Improved:

Pakistan’s relations with the Central Asian Republics have made good progress during the past few years. With improved regional security after the fall of the Taliban, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and Pakistan have decided to push ahead with plans for the ambitious 1500 kms-long gas pipeline. The leaders of the three countries have signed a framework agreement (The Trans Afghanistan Pipeline).

The Trans-Afghanistan pipeline would export Turkmen gas (from Dualtabad gas field) via Afghanistan to Pakistan, from where it could reach world markets. Proponents of the project see it as a modern continuation of the Silk Road.

The Asian Development Bank is the leading coordinating financial and technical partner.

Conclusion:

The stabilization and steady expansion of these relations may take time and would require deft, patient and wise handling on the part of the States concerned. A time may come, perhaps sooner than expected, when Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and the six West and Central Asian States; having a population of nearly 300m and an area larger than that of the SAARC region, may form a Common Market.

In the meantime, Central Asia and Pakistan must keep on vigorously pursuing the peace option in Afghanistan. Mutual Pak-Afghan trade is expected to reach Rs. One billion in this year.

In the final analysis, it is the “Afghan corridor” that is still blocking Pakistan’s physical access to the CARs, and vice versa, only its unblocking will materialize the connectivity with South and Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, the war-torn Afghanistan remains a major stumbling block. Yet it holds the ultimate key for Pakistan to gain access to the CARs. Therefore, all efforts need to be focused to try opening this passage to gain access to the ex-Soviet Republics.

While regional and international circumstances have no doubt conspired against Pakistan, the latter should have no stone unturned in combating international terrorism, building a sound infrastructure along Pak-Afghan border and cleansing its own fraction tribal belt of foreign militants. At the same time, there is a dire need in setting its political house in order by co-opting major political parties and regaining the trust and goodwill of Afghans through trade assistance and policy of non-interference.

Formation:

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in December 8, 1985 at Dhaka by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Srilanka. The objective were to promote the welfare and improve the quality of life of the people of South Asia by accelerating economic growth in the region and building up mutual trust among the member states.

Objectives:

The objectives of the Association as defined in the Charter are:

i) To promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life.

ii) To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and to provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realize their full potential.

iii) To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia.

iv) To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems.

v) Too promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural, technical and scientific fields,

vi) To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries.

Principles:

i) The principle of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and mutual benefits.

ii) The cooperation is to complement bilateral and multilateral relations.

iii) Such cooperation should be consistent with bilateral and multilateral responsibilities of the member states.

iv) Decisions at all levels are to be unanimously taken.

v) Bilateral and contentious issues would be executed from its deliberations.

Membership:

i) Pakistan
ii) Bangladesh
iii) India
iv) Srilanka
v) Nepal
vi) Bhutan
vii) Maldives
vii) Afghanistan

in April 2007, at the Association’s 14th Summit, Afghanistan became its eighth member.

Observers:

i) Australia
ii) China
iii) EU
iv) Iran
v) Japan
vi) Mauritius
vii) Myanmar (Burma)
viii) United States
ix) South Korea

Fields/Areas Of Cooperation:

The areas of cooperation among SAARC members as decided at the time of its establishment were:

i) Agriculture and Forestry
ii) Health And Population Planning
iii) Meteorology
iv) Rural Development
v) Telecommunication
vi) Transport
vii) Science and Technology
viii) Drug Trafficking And Abuse
ix) Postal Service
x) Women Development And
xi) Sports, Arts And Culture

Structure:

The SAARC has four tier structure including:

i) SAARC Summit Conference
ii) Council of Minister
iii) Standing Committee
iv) Technical Committees and Secretariat

SAARC Summit Conference:

The highest decision-making authority rests with the ‘SAARC Summit Conference’ convened generally once in a year or two years, comprising Heads of State or Governments of SAARC countries.

Council Of Ministers:

The ‘Council Of Ministers’ of SAARC countries formulates policies of the organisation. The council appoints Secretary General of SAARC on the basis of rotation in alphabetical order for a period of two years, upon nomination by a member state. It meets twice a year.

Standing Committee:

The “Standing Committee of SAARC” is composed of Foreign Secretaries of member states: It approves projects and programmes. The financing of such programmes and project is also determined by the Standing Committee.

Secretariat:

The SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu on 16 January 1987 and was inaugurated by late King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah of Nepal. It is headed by a Secretary General appointed by the Council of Ministers from member countries in alphabetical order for a three-year term. He is assisted by the Professional and the General Services Staff and also an appropriate number of functional units called divisions assigned to Directors on deputation from member States. The Secretariat coordinates and monitors implementation of activities, prepares for and services meetings and serves as a channel of communication between the Association and its member states as well as other regional organisations.

Achievements:

• Twenty-five years have passed since the establishment of SAARC in 1985.

• When we analyse its achievements disappointment prevails over us.

• The SAARC has not many achievements at its credit.

• However, it must be kept in mind that the Association consists of countries having diversity in culture, religion, economic development, foreign policy etc.

• It is itself an appreciable thing that these countries have come on one platform for their economic development.

• No doubt, SAARC performance is not good as was expected, yet it has some achievement at its credit.

They are;

i) It has developed feelings of understanding among countries.

ii) It signed SAARC Regional Convention of Suppression of Terrorism in 1998.

iii) It established SAARC Food Security Reserve which is operational since 1988.

iv) The SAARC has also signed South Asia Professional Trade Agreement (SAPTA) in seventh summit in 1993 and SAFTA Agreement, signed during the 12th Summit in January 2004.

v) SAARC Agricultural Information Centre (SAIC) has been set up at Dhaka to promote cooperation in the field of agricultural.

vi) A Centre for Human Resource Development (CHRD) has also been established.

vii) The member countries have devised modalities for confronting many important issues such a poverty, terrorism, drug-trafficking etc.

viii) Institutional arrangements such as South Asian Development Bank, South Asian Development Fund etc. have been initiated.

Causes Behind Slow Progress:

A bird’s eye view of the SAARC’s achievements tells us that the performance of the Association is not satisfactory. Generally speaking, following are the reasons for the slow progress of SAARC.

i) Indian aptitude is the foremost factor for the slow progress of SAARC.

ii) There are flaws in the charter itself. According to one principle, bilateral issues are excluded from the activities of the Association.

iii) Almost all the member countries are internally unstable and faced with internal political tension.

iv) Many of many of the important sectors of economy which affect directly the lives of the people of the region have not been included in the Association’s activity. The areas include: reduction in the defence expenditure, power generation, improvement and proper use of regional water resources, the use of SAARC for getting financial assistance from donor agencies.

v) All the SAARC countries formulate their foreign policies according to their own national interests and objectives. This hinders to achieve any common ground and policy to make Association successful.

vi) The extra regional alignment of the member countries is also a hindrance in the progress of the Association. Their alignment often works at cross purpose to the objectives aimed by SAARC.

vii) There’s not the same level of economic development among countries. The imbalance of economic development creates tendency of domination, doubts and suspicions which create hurdles to achieve success.

Pakistan’s Role In Strengthening SAARC:

Pakistan has been an active and enthusiastic member of the SAARC. The twelfth SAARC Summit in Islamabad has highlighted Pakistan’s contribution in making SAARC a highly useful forum of South Asia. Pakistan’s tension ridden relations with India has never deterred it form playing an active role in the Association.

Pakistan played a pivotal role in the formal launching of the SAARC at the first summit at Dhaka in 1985. After the formation of SAARC, Pakistan has lived up to its commitments by taking part in all the activities of the SAARC.

The broad objectives of the SAARC were to promote the welfare of the people of South Asia, accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region. In all of SAARC’s endeavours in the relevant fields, Pakistan has shown keen interest and played an active role.

Pakistan has always played a leading role in both initiating and welcoming visits and exchanges with personalities from various fields of life in the member countries of the SAARC. It has always favoured the inclusion of mutual disputes and bilateral issues between member countries. Pakistan has argued that successful regional groupings like European Union and ASEAN use the mechanism of consultation for discussion that promote conciliation and strengthen peace.

During the first Summit Pakistan gave a suggestion that women’s participation should be increased in the SAARC related activities. The suggestion was welcomed and accepted as the SAARC leaders agreed that meaningful progress could not be achieved without the active participation and enhancement of the status of women.

In the fifth SAARC Summit meeting Pakistan vetoed Afghanistan’s application for membership of SAARC because at that time it was under the Soviet influence. In addition Pakistan condemned Iraqi occupation of Kuwait.

The sixth summit Conference of SAARC was held in Colombo on 21st December 1991. During this meeting Pakistan proposed to make Asia a nuclear free zone.

Similarly in the subsequent SAARC Summits too Pakistan made positive proposals for the promotion of political, economic and cultural cooperation among the states.

Political Issues:

SAARC has intentionally laid more stress on “core issues” mentioned above rather than more decisive political issues like the Kashmir dispute and the Srilanka civil war. However, political dialogue is often conducted on the margins of SAARC meetings.

SAARC has also refrained itself from interfering in the internal matters of the member states. During the 12th and 13th SAARC summits, extreme emphasis was laid upon greater cooperation between the SAARC members to fight against terrorism.


Political Economy Of South Asia:

South Asia accounts for nearly 23% of the total world population. However, its share in the global GDP is less than 3%. The region is home to the world’s 400 million poor, which means nearly 30% of the region’s population lives below the poverty line.

All SAARC countries have a rather low raking on the Human Development Index (HDI), which according to the Human Development Report 2007-08 is: Srilanka (99), the Maldives (100), India (128), Bhutan (133), Pakistan (136), Bangladesh (140), and Nepal (142). The HDI ranking is based on achievements in terms of life expectancy, education and real income. The low HDI ranking reflects poorly on these vital indicators in the region.

South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA):

In order to achieve objectives of SAARC and increase regional integration, the member countries created South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) in 2004 at the twelfth SAARC Summit. This agreement which came into force on January 1, 2006 provides that members will reduce their tariffs to 0.5 per cent by December 31, 2005.

The success of SAFTA, however, largely depends on normalization of Pakistan-India relations. In case the relations between the two countries do not normalize, SAFTA, a fate will not be different from that of its predecessor, South Asian Preferential Trade Agreement (SAPTA).

Reasons Of Low Trade:

the major reason for meagre intra-SAARC trade is low volume of trade between Pakistan and India, the largest economies and trading nations in the region. Though formal Pak-India trade (the two countries have informal trade of more than $ 3bn a year) has increased from $ 236 million in 2001-2002 to $ 1.95 bn in 2007-08, it still constitutes less than 1 per cent of the global trade of the two countries!

Pakistan has not even granted MFN status, a basic requirement under WTO, to India and continues to conduct its imports from India on the basis of positive list. On its part, India maintains high tariffs and non-tariff barriers on products of export interest to Pakistan.

SAARC And ASEAN:

The poor trade performance of SAARC stands in marked contrast with that of the neighbouring regional alliance-Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The ASEAN countries accounts for merely 8.4% of the total world population.

However, their share in total world trade is nearly 7%. ASEAN’s contribution to Asia’s total trade is 23 per cent. Intra-ASEAN trade accounts for nearly 30 per cent of the global trade of the 10-mmeber countries. ASEAN countries have remained embroiled in territorial disputes but that has not hampered their trade relations.

i must say roshan now you are improving and its visible from your notes. i am really happy for all new commers like you on this forum who are improving day by day.

keep it up. roshan hope to meet you on interview day inshallah.

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GEO to aise k sab tumhara ha,MARO to aisa jaise tmhara kuch bhi nhi.

Maza deti han zindagi ki thokerin unko,jinhen NAAM-E-KHUDA le kar sanbhal janey ki adat ho.

now that`s what i call current affairs notes roshan, yopu can see the difference yourself b/w your previous notes and these notes.

good attempt regarding SAARC organisation.

now add few points about how can southasian states strengthen saarc?

do write about present developments under conferences heading.

here is some info about SAARC summits
No. Location Date
1st Dhaka 7-8 December 1985
2nd Bangalore 16-17 November 1986
3rd Kathmandu 2-4 November 1987
4th Islamabad 29-31 December 1988
5th Malé 21-23 November 1990
6th Colombo 21-Dec-91
7th Dhaka 10-11 April 1993
8th New Delhi 2-4 May 1995
9th Malé 12-14 May 1997
10th Colombo 29-31 July 1998
11th Kathmandu 4-6 January 2002
12th Islamabad 2-6 January 2004
13th Dhaka 12-13 November 2005
14th New Delhi 3-4 April 2007
15th Colombo 1-3 August 2008
16th Thimphu 28-29 April 2010
17th Malé November 2011 (Planned)

andand give conclusion under that heading.

now the topic in the last is a full fledge question and it has already come in ce 2011 difference b/w SAARC AND ASEAN.

try to elaborate it more. the rest is good.keep it up.

regards sabahat.

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GEO to aise k sab tumhara ha,MARO to aisa jaise tmhara kuch bhi nhi.

Maza deti han zindagi ki thokerin unko,jinhen NAAM-E-KHUDA le kar sanbhal janey ki adat ho.

a.o.a!
waow great mashALLAH...well iam aspirant of 2013....
i wana ask you a question i.e aint you afraid of your notes be copied by someone? i mean your notes are publically viewed.

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*you can tell more about a person by what he says about others than you can by what others say about him*-leo aikman!

So what if his notes get copied? this is the forum where students help eachother. You should not think like that. he is sharing his efforts with others and he will surely get reward for this.