Declaration of 4th South Asian People’s Summit
2-4 January 2004, Islamabad

This representative assembly of civil society organizations and networks of South Asian countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) reiterates the pledge to promote people’s struggle for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous South Asia; and commits itself to actively oppose all actions and policies of state and non-state actors that increase poverty, militarization, intolerance, extremism, patriarchy and exploitation.

Realizing that regional cooperation is the most important prerequisite for the progress of the people of South Asia – especially in the face of increasing globalization and imposition of destructive policies of the World Bank, the IMF and WTO – this assembly welcomes the convening of the XII SAARC Summit, and the opening up of communication and travel links between India and Pakistan, thereby facilitating travel between all SAARC countries.

This assembly welcomes agreement on SAFTA and believe that its implementation will lead to enhanced interaction and cooperation that will benefit the peoples of the entire region. It is imperative that the member states should ensure free mobility and guaranteed basic labour rights to all workers in the region. It is also essential that citizens’ freedom of movement within the region be ensured to enable them to benefit from the fruits of free trade. A civilized and liberal visa regime be established in all the SAARC countries.

Although the governments in the region have taken some positive steps with regard to granting visas to visitors from other countries, this assembly calls upon these governments to allow all citizens of SAARC countries visas at the port of entry, as is currently practiced by Sri Lanka and Nepal.

For the full declaration please download the PDF attachment.