Stabilising South Asia: ‘Asian monetary fund can help this region’

Experts discuss conflict resolution at IoBM’s international peace conference.

KARACHI: An international conference on the development of peace in South Asia was held at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM) recently.

The speakers stressed on the need for conflict resolution, social and economic cooperation and equality in South Asian countries. They said that cooperation between countries was also necessary for the development of this region.

The chief editor of Pakistan Business Review, Dr Shahida Wizarat, said that South Asia is marred with sectarian violence and deadly conflict.

She proposed that an Asian monetary fund be set up to contribute towards the socio-economic development of the region.

A former secretary of the ministry of foreign affairs, Shamshad Ahmed Khan, said that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation needs to be revitalised in letter and spirit to resolve conflicts.

The work of a number of prominent researchers, including Dr Natalia Zamaraeva from the Institute of Oriental Studies and Ahmad Sikandar from the Kashmir University in Srinagar, was also discussed at the conference.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2012.