The Commission will have four MPs from each of the eight SAARC nations, who will be nominated by leading parliamentary parties, besides two experts from the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA). The step will help in initiation of a deliberative process, it is hoped.

Releasing the SAARC Shimla declaration this morning, at the end of the meet, SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam said participants overwhelmingly endorsed the initiative for creating an institutionalised interactive mechanism for parliamentarians of South Asia. “This has been the most tangible outcome of the Shimla meet, besides a host of issues listed in the declaration for effective regional cooperation for sustainable development and human security in the region,” he said.

Alam admitted that the formation of a full-fledged SAP may take a decade or two, but it was time to initiate the move and set-out a clear roadmap. The Commission has thus been set-up to push the process and lead to creation of a South Asian parliament--an evolution of a regional South Asian identity, without compromising on the sovereignty of the nation-states of the region, the SAFMA Secretary General said.

The nine-page declaration—which was delayed last evening after differences over inclusion of the Kashmir issue in the draft—covers a host of issues relating to unified economic growth in the region, human security, threat of terrorism and conflicts and the need for regional cooperation on social issues.

The declaration also talked about SAFMA’s four-point vision, which included South Asian partnership on energy cooperation, water management and conservation strategies. The declaration also spoke of increased investment in physical and social infrastructure sectors, restructuring growth and resource allocation in poverty alleviation projects and an unhindered, efficient connectivity and mobility across borders through highways, motorways, railways and air.

It strongly recommended for lifting of visa restrictions for free access and greater interaction among policy makers. “Visa granted by any of the SAARC countries should be made valid for all other countries of the region. The prevailing barriers to cross border movements make no commercial sense,” Alam added.

The SAARC declaration laid stress on setting-up of a South Asian Energy Grid to revolve cooperation between the member nations facing shortage of power. Strengthening people to people contact in the region and promoting free and an uninterrupted flow of information was also proposed. Other key issues that figure in the final declaration include human security, gender equality, environment protection, effect of global warming and South Asian human rights code.