SAARC Police Unit mooted

The third summit of SAARC Ministers of Internal and Home Affairs concluded with a proposal to set up a regional Police Unit. It was decided that this be named SAARCPOLE the South Asian counterpart of INTERPOL. This was proposed by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Reheman Malik. Pakistan Chaired the third summit which was held in Islamabad from June 23 to 26.

Delegates from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives and Sri Lanka attended the summit. Sri Lanka was represented by Public Management and Reforms Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka. The aim of the summit was spelled out by SAARC General Secretary Shil Kanth Sharma.

The main aim was to focus on the growing threat of terrorism that has placed the region at risk and to combat the crime networks that have sprung with it. The summit also dwelt on the consequences to life and property as a result of growing threat of terrorism.

It was felt that on occasions when countries have to deal with terrorism, other than providing backing to decisions taken by the relevant countries to suppress terrorism, it was not appropriate to interfere in the internal affairs of these countries.

It was agreed that when a country implements certain policies to crush terrorism it is not proper to act in a way that threaten the independence and sovereignty of that countries. All countries have equal rights and it is necessary to work with understanding and respect for each other. Today the common problem facing the region was terrorism which pose a threat to peace and territorial integrity of countries. It was decided at the summit for countries in the region to come to an agreement on the need for a permanent solution to the issue.

The next summit is scheduled to be held in Bhutan.