SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (S.C.

O)

Introduction:
Shanghai Cooperation Organization or S.C.O is an inter-governmental
mutual security organization which was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the
leaders of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
S.C.O is the continuation of the Shanghai Five founded in 1996. After
Uzbekistan inclusion it was named as S.C.O.
Permanent Members:
China, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
Observer States:
Pakistan, India, Iran and Magnolia.
Arms and S.C.O:
The main task of S.C.O is to strengthen and safeguard regional security
and to promote the common development of the member states.
Achievements:
1. S.C.O member states strengthened and deepen political trust and
pragmatic cooperation in various fields and greatly contribute to
regional stability and common development.
2. Joint military security work in border areas was signed that helped
in solving many disputes, avoided border clashes and transformed
the 1000 miles long borders into bonds of friendship.
3. Along with the changing regional and international situations, the
security cooperation among the block has deepened. S.C.O set up
the Regional Anti-Terrorists Organization (RATS), with its head
quarters in Uzbekistan, to combat the Three Evils, namely
terrorism, separatism and extremism. This is the dominant feature
of S.C.O.
4. The group has firmly shown the commitment to boast up mutual
political trust, effective cooperation, mutual respect and mutual

benefits. Such strengths have paved the way for its member states
to enhance cooperation and jointly deal with economic crisis and
other challenges.
5. With three-fifths of the land area and a quarter of the world
population, the S.C.O member states can share rich natural, market
and human resources to realize the great potential in economic
cooperation.
S.C.O and Pakistan
1.

Pakistan has been trying to get permanent membership of

S.C.O. president Asif Zardari told requested to the six permanent
member in the S.C.O conference in Astana June 2011;

We hope that our membership application will be put on fast

track.
Pakistan is trying to get full membership of S.C.O because it
wants to
be a part of regional and trans-regional cooperation get up by
S.C.O by becoming a permanent member of S.C.O. Pakistan can get
multifaceted benefits;
We would like to cooperate with regional countries in the financial and
banking sector, the setting up of joint ventures, educational, infrastructural
and theological programs.
2. Pakistan, like other Asian countries is suspicious about Americas
imperialistic intentions. It is worried about its own security and
progress which does not seem possible being an ally of US.
Therefore, Pak wants to join S.C.O and be a part of joint security
and military venture of SCO.
3. Pakistan strongly feels that US is losing her grip over the world.
Her economic condition is becoming weakling. Now, it is high
time that Pakistan turn towards the East (towards SCO and China
in particular).
4. Pakistan also strongly feels that in the presence of US and NATO
on Afghan soil, her nuclear assets are not safe. But if Pak
becomes a permanent part of SCO, her position would get
secured, because Pak knows full well that if America and NATO
were to attack her or try to seize her nuclear assets, under SCO

rules all member states would be forced to intervene and counter

attack both America and NATO.
5. Once becomes a permanent member of SCO, Pakistan can get
huge economic benefits.
6. With the help of SCO Pakistan can curb terrorism.

ORGANIZATION OF ISLAMIC COUNTRIES (OIC)

Introduction:
Consist of 57 countries.
OIC is considered to be among regional organizations. The most
distinguishing aspect of OIC is that it represents a religious ideological bond
as it was envisaged to translate the vision of Ummah identity into a reality. It
has been criticized on account of its failure to resolve the basic problems
confronted by Muslim Ummah. These issues are ranging from Islam phobia to
the issues of poverty and backwardness. Since Makkah Summit, the debate
to introduce reforms in OIC has gained momentum.
Many efforts have been made to make it a vibrant organization. Now,
the OIC has come to the realization of change.
Objectives
1. Promotion of Islamic Solidarity.
2. Enhanced co-operation among Muslim countries on
economical, cultural and scientific grounds/walks/fields.

social,

3. To coordinate all efforts for safeguarding Holy places.

4. To promote the vision of Ummah and to strengthen the bond of

identity and unity.

Successes:
1. It provided a platform for the conflict resolution by mutual
cooperation.
2. It has become a symbol of collective Ummah. The only regional
organization of the world that represents and ideological bond. It
was envisaged to give a practical expression to Ummahs unity, PanIslamic Indonesia to North Africa.
3. It played a vital role in Iran-Iraq war. It escalated tension among
Arabs and non-Arabs.
4. IDB (Islamic Development Bank): This bank performs humanitarian
efforts. For instance it supplied oil at cheaper price from Saudi
Arabia to Pakistan.

5. Establishment of various universities.

6. It raised voice in support of oppressed Muslim countries. For

instance it always raised voice profoundly for the Palestinians

against Israel.

Failures of OIC
1. 70 % of the world oil resources in the Muslim world along the
important sea lane and trade routes. Mediterranean Sea, Arabian
Sea, Indian Ocean and the like that are located in the Muslim
territory possess vast sources of mineral, oil and gas. 60 % plus of
the Mediterranean is surrounded by Muslim countries. Red Sea and
Persian Gulf are exclusively located in the Muslim regions. The
Muslim world ranges from Atlantic Ocean to Pacific Ocean and from
Mediterranean to Indian Ocean. The Muslim countries posses
internationally important trade routes like Gibraltar, Biospheres,
Hurmuz, Malaka. Muslim countries produce 2/3 of world oil, 67 % of
species, 2/3 of Palm oil, 50 % plus of Tin and Phosphorus and
a vast treasury of gas. But there is only 12-13 % intra trade
between OIC countries. The HDI (Human Development Index) is
pathetic, the total GDP of the Muslim world is about 5 % or less than
that. The Human Development Index (HDI) report 2005 shows that
40 Muslim countries have low value of HDI than the world average.
The total GNP of the Muslim world is less than Germany, France.
There is no Muslim country among the top 30 HDI countries. And in
the group of low HDI, half are Muslim countries.
2. Low level of Intra OIC trade.
3. No major initiative towards regional cooperation. No custom unions,
no facilitation in visa, no preferential trade as is there in European
countries.
4. No Regional connectivity, no roads and railway lines to connect the
Muslim countries as is there in Europe.
5. Failed to take any step to resolve conflicts among Muslim countries.
6. No rapid developmental force, no collective mechanism, no peace
keepers etc.

7. Failure to counter Islam phobia of west by projecting pluralistic

vision of Islam, to contest Islam through academic publications and
by high lightening peaceful role of Islam.
8. No influence over Jihadis.
9. It failed to get its voice heard in UN, or in other forms. It could not
evolve into a strong bloc whose view could be respected.
10. Failed to pressurize India and Israel to liberate the Muslim
majority areas occupied by them.
11.

Failed to address poverty and education.

12.

No meaningful collaboration with the Islamic countries and

organizations, such as, ECO, GCC, ASEAN, EU etc. on the contrary, ASEAN
is successfully reaching out to other organizations.

Reasons of its Failure:

1. Lack of leadership.
2. Lack of civil right and democracy. Out of 57 Muslim countries, 36 are
under Monarchs and autocrats. The rest are under transitional
process from dictatorship to democracy.
3. Dependence of the Muslim world upon the west particularly USA.
Muslim countries are under immense influence of USA. Above that
our political military and civil elites have vested interests with US.
4. Large and unwieldy size.
5. Polarization created in the Muslim countries after cold war. Some
became Pro-Soviet and others Pro-West. For instance Jordan, Egypt,
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait are Pro-West, while Libya, Syria, Iraq,
Yemen are socialists or leftists.
6. Disputes among the Muslim countries, e.g. Iraq/Iran war, Arab and
Iran dispute etc.

Suggestions:
1. Dire need of improving civil societies. For this middle class is
needed to given a vibrant role.

2. Enhance intra OIC trade and OIC trade centre.

3. Need to learn and adopt from other organizations like ASEAN. It
must be proficient in resolving conflicts.
4. Collective security mechanism and rapid deployment of forces, as
being done by S.C.O.
5. Enhancing its role in the international politics.
6. Promoting Ijtihad through OIC. Ijtihad is done on regional level or
smaller level. There is a dire need of comprehensive and delivering
institution of Ijtihad on OIC level.
7. OIC needs to concentrate on the development of scientific
education in the Muslim world. The developed countries USA and
Japan are spending more than 4 % of its GDP on education, while
the Muslim countries allocate even les than 1 % to education.
8. OIC must facilitate and insure the flow of capital from the rich
countries to the poor and human resources from poor to rich
countries.
9. Last but not the least empowerment of female. More than half of the
Muslim worlds population is kept idle and illiterate. OIC must ensure
education, technical training to female in order to make them a
useful part of the society and to enable them to play their role in the
development of their countries.

Conclusion:
OIC represents lofty ideals of Ummahs identity. But there is a long way
for OIC to travel for the realization of these objectives in true sense. Once,
firm and wholestic steps are taken by OIC, then progress would itself come in
the Muslim world. And OIC would an honored and powerful organization to
which the international community would not only listen but would also
respect its decision. And OIC would be at par with other international
organizations.

EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

A. It comprises of Western Europe.

B. Cooperation takes place in various communities.
1.

Cooperation among European Communities.

2.

Common foreign and security policy.

3.

Cooperation in the field of Justice and domestic affairs.

C. Existences:
It came into being in Nov, 1973 after Maastricht Treaty. Its total
members are 28. Its original members were 6, Germany, Belgium,
Italy, Netherland and Limburg.
1. Mechanism:
i.
Treaty of Rome (1958).
Through this treaty it was decided that there would be a freedom of
movement of goods, persons, services and capital among these 6 EU
countries.
ii.

Basic institutional Mechanism was created.

a. European court of Justice (ECJ).

b. The council of ministers (CoM).
c. The European commission (EC).
d. European parliament (EP).
The European Union is more a supra national body (constitutional
body) than simply an inter governmental agreement as it confers enforceable
legal obligations.
2. Single European Act (1988):
Through the enactment of this Act efforts were made to complete the
integrated market by striving for harmonization of regulations with respect to
financial services, security, insurance, telecommunications, as well as
product of safety and technical standards.
3. Maastricht Treaty (1991):

i.

This treaty represents deepening of integration, including monetary

union and social policies. This treaty was ratified by all member states.

ii.

Response from member states was; France and Denmark opted to

accept all the terms of the treaty while Britain claimed the right to opt
out.

iii.

Complete union of economics of the EU countries seems impossible

because of the problems related to exchange rate mechanism (fixation
of the currency rates of different member countries), and the
microeconomic policies of member states. As in this monetary union,
member states were supposed to maintain specified debt/GDP,
deficit/GDP, inflation levels etc.

D. Institutions of EU:
1. Council of Ministers:
i.

These ministers of EU represent the government of all member

countries in a close door meeting.

ii.

They decide unanimously on major policy decisions.

iii.

These members of the council of ministers are unaccountable.

2. European Union:
i.

This body consists of 33 members. Each of them is nominated by

the government of his country.

ii.

This body initiates all EU legislation.

iii.

This commission represents the interests of the union as a whole

both, political processes within EU and negotiation with the outside
world.

iv.

This body takes no instructions from any member state.

v.

This body is accountable to European Parliament.

vi.

This commission follows

subsequent legislation.

vii.

From small member states one member each is nominated while

from large states two members each are selected.

3. European Parliament:

policies correct implementation and

It consists of 1000 members who are elected through direct vote. Its
functions and powers are;
It can veto the budgets and limited authority to amend legislations.
4. European Court of Justice:
It consists of 15 Judges with advocate generals. Its function is to
interpret treats with the outside world and to interpret secondary EU
legislation when dispute arise.
i.

Its rules are binding for courts of member states. Since the
Maastricht Treaty in vogue. This court can also impose fines on
member states if they do not comply with its ruling.

ii.

Euro:
On Jan 1st 1999, eleven countries formed economic and
monetary union. The purpose of this union was to opt a new
currency of EU. Euros introduction was the most important step in
the unification of Europe since 1950s.

iii.

This process of unification of Europe through Euro is continued but

England and Denmark are still out of it.

iv.

First major step in the process of the unification of Europe occurred

in 1991, when the national leaders of European community
committed themselves to closer political and economic union. They
signed Treaty of EU and Treaty on European monetary Union (EMU).

E. Economic Central Bank (ECB):

It is the heart of EMU. It represents European Monetary institution
(EMI). Its responsibility is:
1.

The management of foreign resources of member countries.

2.

To decide and check the interest rates.

3.

Manage the foreign exchange and

4.

The production of notes and coins.

Its most important function and power is to determine the value of the national
currencies of Europe in relation to Euro. On Jan 1 st 2002, notes and coins of
Euro were made
available and national currencies like Franc and other European
currencies were gradually withdrawn from circulation.

F. There is a strict criterion for the countries to become a part of EMU. Such a
country must have low inflation, low interest rates, and should not have a
nation debt more than 69 % of the total value of its economy. Final ratification
of a country is made by European Parliament.
G. Lisbon Treaty in 2009:
1. President of the EU is made more powerful.
2. Advisor in foreign policy would represent EU in the international
community. Moreover, the foreign policy of EU is made more integrated.
3. The election criteria of EU have changed. First, the big countries had more
representation in EU. It has changed now. First, Germany had 17 % of
representation. Now, she has only 9 %.
4. EU is becoming a more supra-nationalistic body. 34 more articles are given
to EU. There would be free trade of EU countries among themselves.

SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION OF REGIONAL COUNTRIES

(SAARC)

A. Established on Dec 8, 1985.

B. Comprising of 8 countries with population of 1.5 billion people.
Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and
Afghanistan. Afghanistan was included as a permanent member on 4 th
April, 2007.
C. Observer States:
Iran, US, China, EU, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Myanmar, Mauritius.
D. Objective of SAARC:
1. To promote the welfare of the people and to improve their living standard
in South Asia.
2. To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development
leading to future economic bloc because the region fulfils the required
terms.
i.

Natural Resources.

ii.

Human Resources.

iii.

Easy Transportation.

3. To promote and strengthen collective self-alliance.

4. To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of mutual
problems.
5. To promote collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social,
cultural, technical and scientific fields.
6. To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on
matters of common interests.
7. To cooperate with international and regional organizations with similar
aims and purposes.
8. To cooperate with each other in the field of telecommunication,
meteorology, transportation, shipping, tourism, agricultural research, joint

ventures, market promotion, scientific, technological, educational and

cultural cooperation, narcotics control, eradication of terrorism, sports and
art cooperation.
E. Achievements of SAARC:
1. Provided of platform for regional cooperation.
2. De-escalating Indo-Pak tensions.
3. Initiative towards realization of regional integration through SAFTA (South
Asian Free Trade Association). A project of SAARC.
4. Enhanced opportunities for people to people contacts.
5. Social agenda of SAARC, a glimmer of hope for millions of poverty stricken
people of South Asia.
6. Regional documents centers were established in 1988.
7. Educational exchange program in the form of a new sub-organization
known as SAVE-SAARC Audio Visual Educational program was
successfully completed.
F. Failures:
1. Slow pace of development.
2. SAARC countries failed to resolve differences over continuous issues.
3. Low level of Infra-regional trade.
4. No major initiative towards regional connectivity.
5. SAARC has failed to prevent conflicts among its member countries. It has
failed to improve security situation in South Asia.
6. Failed to overcome trade deficit.
7. Failure of SAARC to save South Asia from militarization and nuclearisaion.
8. Failed to resolved Pak-India tension.
G. Reasons behind SAARC Failures:
1. Indias hegemonic designs.
2. Unresolved disputes:
i.

Indo-Pak disputes: Kashmir, Siachen, Water issue etc.

ii.

Indo-Bangladesh disputes over the distribution of the gangs water

and border issue etc.

iii.

Indo-Nepalese tension over trade matters and zone of peace on

Nepal.

3. Indian support to Tamils in Sri Lanka to create unrest there.

4. Trust deficit among the member states especially lack of trust over India
by the other members.
5. Militarization and nuclearisation in South Asia.
6. Political, social instability in South Asia.
7. Hostile propaganda against each other, especially India and Pakistan.
8. The major reason of SAARC failure in the achievement of its goal is
Kashmir issue.
H. Suggestions:
1. Trust building among the member states.
2. Phasing out hindrances in the path of regional integration. There is a need
of accelerating the implementation of SAFTA.
3. Resolution of political disputes through step by step approach.
4. Economic diplomacy plus CBMs.
5. By following ASEAN.
6. Enhanced role of Media and Civil Societies.
7. Changes in SAARC character. There is a need of making it more whole tic,
beneficial to each state and treating all its members on equal footing.
I.

SAARC 16th (last) Summit in Thimhu, Bhutan. On 28, 29 th April 2010. 25 years
completed of its coming into existence.

J. Emphasis:
1. Emphasis was given to democratic and participatory traditions among
member states.
2. Upholding people centric development with due emphasis on sociocultural progress and economic development of the people of South Asia.
3. Poverty alleviation.

4. To address the issue of climate change to conserve the eco-system and to

formulate trans boundary bio divisibility zone, a network of weather
stations, sharing of scientific data regarding weather and climate
condition of South Asia.
5. Women Empowerment.
6. Rights of children. SAARC to work for the eradication of child labour.
7. Commitment to implement SAFTA in letter and spirit.
8. Declared the decade
connectivity in SAARC.

2010-2020.

The

Decade

9. Promotion of tourism.
10.Condemned terrorism.
11.Cooperation in the field of science and technology.

of

Intra-Regional