SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) was established in 1985 and comprises 8 member states in South Asia. It aims to promote economic growth, social progress, cultural development and collective self-reliance among member states. The key principles are respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal matters. SAARC focuses on cooperation in various areas including agriculture, trade, education and more. However, it has faced some failures due to factors such as India's attempts to dominate, bilateral disputes between members, lack of financial resources, and internal problems within members.

1. Media in SAARC Countries
Dr. SHAFAYAT ALI
Assistant Professor/HOD
Department of Mass Comm.
Govt. College of Science,
Wahdat Road, Lahore

2. Introduction of SAARC
The South Asian Association for
Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was
established with the signing of the
SAARC Charter in Dhaka on 8
December 1985. SAARC comprises
of eight Member States: Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives,
Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The
Secretariat of the Association was set
up in Kathmandu on 17 January 1987.

3. Background/History
 The first concrete proposal for establishing a framework
for regional cooperation in South Asia was made by the
late president of Bangladesh, Zia-ur-Rehman, on May 2,
1980.
 Established on 8 December 1985.
 Its seven founding members are Sri Lanka, Bhutan,
India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

4. Principles of SAARC
 Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, political
equality and independence of all members states.
 Non-interference in the internal matters.
 Cooperation for mutual benefit.
 All decisions to be taken unanimously.
 All bilateral issues to be kept aside and only multilateral
issues to be discussed.

5. Aims and Objectives
 Welfare of the people of south Asia.
 Economic growth, social progress and cultural development.
 Strengthen selective self-reliance among the countries of south
Asia.
 Understanding and appreciation of one another's problems.
 Strengthen cooperation among themselves as well as with other
developing countries and international and regional organizations.
 Maintain peace in the region.

6. Current Members
1. Afghanistan ( joined the organization in 2007)
2. Bangladesh
3. Bhutan
4. India
5. Maldives
6. Nepal
7. Pakistan
8. Sri Lanka

7. Observers
1. Australia
2. China
3. European Union
4. Japan
5. Iran
6. Mauritius
7. Myanmar
8. S. Korea
9. USA
 Myanmar has expressed
interest in upgrading its status
from an observer to a full
member of SAARC.
 Russia has expressed interest
in becoming an observer of
SAARC

8. Secretariat
The SAARC secretariat is located in Nepal. The secretariat
is headed by the secretary-General appointed by the Council
of Ministers. Its function include:
 Coordination, execution and monitoring of SAARC
activities
 Servicing the SAARC meetings
 Works as communication link between the SAARC and
other international forums

9. SAARC Areas of Cooperation
 Agriculture & Biotechnology
 Trade & Finance
 Education
 Information , Communication & Media
 Science & Technology
 Energy & Environment
 Tourism & Social Development
 Culture
 People-to-People Contacts

10. Failures' Of SAARC
 India tries to dominate the
function and activities of SAARC
 Large variety of different
political system
 Large variety regional and
cultural differences
 They lack financial resources and
advance technologies
 Involvement of external actors
 Internal problems constituting
social economic and
developmental and growth issues.
 Bilateral disputes and differences
 Food Security Reserve failed to
meet the need of Bangladesh
 Suffers from an acute resource
crunch

11. Thanks!