Call for Saarc parliament to solve regional problems

14 January 2012, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

The leaders of different political parties yesterday stressed the need for a joint security structure and Saarc parliament to solve the problems of this region, including the water sharing issue. Visa restriction will not solve the problems; rather it is necessary to develop trust and extend hands of cooperation among the countries, they said at the convention of Bangladesh-Bharat-Pakistan People's Forum (BBPPF), Bangladesh Chapter at a city hotel. The political parties include the ruling Awami League, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), and the Workers Party of Bangladesh. “Problems over water sharing issue in the region can be solved through discussion at the government and political levels”, Amir Hossain Amu, an AL lawmaker, said. JSD President Hasanul Haq Inu said the peoples of Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan have been gripped by various forms of fear including atom bomb, communalism, and poverty. "These fears are persisting in the region due to mistrust. Establishing trust and cooperation among the countries are imperative to get rid of those fears", he said. He also proposed formation of a joint security structure and Saarc parliament to solve problems remaining in the South Asian region. CPB chief Manjurul Ahsan Khan underscored the need for improvement of mutual relationship to prevent aggression of imperialism. President of BBPPF and former lawmaker of India Debbrata Biswas praised the role of Bangladesh in combating terrorism and imperialism. Mentioning that water-sharing problem is the outcome of stringent political attitude, he said it is high time to raise voice against it. Pankaj Bhattachariya, convener of BBPPF, Bangladesh Chapter, presided over the programme.