ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: Awami National Party (ANP) parliamentary leader in the Senate Haji Adeel here on Wednesday called for a joint parliament, supreme court and common currency in South Asia and stressed the need for strengthening democracy in the region.
He was speaking at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) 13th annual conference titled ‘Peace and sustainable development in South Asia: the way forward’.
Senator Adeel said lack of democracy was the key reason for the slow integration process within South Asia. “Saarc should have a joint parliament, supreme court and currency,” he said. “However, there has to be strong democratic roots and the role of educational institutions has to be highlighted for promotion of peace in the region.” Mr Adeel said mutual respect, not war, within the South Asian region and educational institutions should promote peace and co-existence.
Other speakers said improving public service deliv ery infrastructure, especially educational facilities, was an essential step to ensure employment for the youth in order to combat extremism, terrorism and conflicts.
However, contrary views were also expressed by experts at the session on Indus Water Treaty. Former chairman Wapda Shamsul Mulk said both Pakistan and India should adopt a sane approach over natural resources of the region.
The speakers said conflicts and political disagreement had led to massive wastage and under-utilisation of natural resources mainly water in South Asia.
They said under-utilisation of natural resources was a key hurdle for eradication of poverty. The speakers said livelihoods across South Asia faced increasing vulnerability as a result of increasing frequency of natural disasters.
During the session on poverty reduction and social exclusion, the experts emphasised the need for effective policy responses to climate change and resource degradation.
It was highlighted that a large number of South Asians were facing the problem of social exclusion due to endangered livelihoods which had to be addressed seriously by national governments, and safety net programmes like Benazir Income Support Programme should be expanded without being politicised.
During the session on violence against women, the panelists highlighted the unconventional role of men in confronting the issues of violence against women.
They discussed institutional gaps, local perceptions of masculinity as ‘gatekeepers or protectors of women’ as well as the important role of educational institutions in forming gender perceptions in children.
During discussion on financing climate change, former ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel said there was an urgent need to respond to climate challenges in South Asia. “Pakistan must not wait for the world to address the climate crisis; we must stand up and resolve these imminent challenges within our borders ourselves,” he added.
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