First Decade of Saarc 1985-1995

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in 1985, so that member of. South Asian could work together towards finding solutions to their common problems in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding and also to create an order based on mutual respect, equality and shared benefits. It comprises on Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The main objective of the Association is to accelerate the process of economic social development in the member states through a joint action in the agreed areas of cooperation.
The institutional structure of the SAARC consists on Summit which is the higher authority of the Association. So far 8 SAARC Summits have been held and the recent one was held in New Delhi on 2-4 May, 1995. During this Summit it was decided that the First Decade of SAARC will be celebrated by the Member States. A number of activities/programmes were approved for the commemoration of 10th Anniversary of SAARC, which includes National Activities as well as SAARC Activities with participation of other Member States. Issuance of Postage Stamps was one of the activity, approved by the Council of Ministers Meeting, which is second highest authority in the SAARC.
SAARC is Regional Organization with tremendous resources and vast opportunities in various fields. Signing of SAPTA Agreement in 1993 which has been ratified by all Member States which is a manifestation of their comments on liberalization of trade in the Region. The SAARC Member States have also signed a number of Conventions such as Suppression of Terrorism and Drug Control Abuse etc. Four Regional Centres have also been established which are working for the betterment of the people of the region. SAARC is also planning to have cooperation in variety of areas. Experts are engaged to identify those areas and make recommendations for such a cooperation.
(Contributed by: SAARC Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad)
To commemorate the occasion Pakistan Post is issuing a stamp of Rs. 1.25 denomination on December 8, 1995.