H.E. Mr. Perry Calderwood, High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan called on National Security Adviser Lt. General (Retd) Nasser Khan Janjua this morning. Besides regional dynamics and bilateral relations two sides exchanged views regarding Pakistan role in eradicating terrorism, counter terrorism cooperation, implementation of NAP and Pak-India relations with reference to US offer to mediation..
Mr. Calderwood said that Pakistan is a beautiful country with dynamic and entrepreneurial population with unique and diverse culture. He also stressed the importance of strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries .“Pakistan is an important partner of Canada and we enjoy multidimensional relationship with Pakistan” he added. Relationship with Pakistan spans trade and educational opportunities as well as collaborating in peace keeping, in combating crime and terrorism and in supporting democratic institutions. Pakistan is on a threshold of economic boom and there lies a huge potential for Canadian firms to capitalize.
NSA warmly welcomed the guest and said that Pakistan highly values its relationship with Canada. It is one of those countries which belongs to everyone and that has helped significantly in Pakistan’s development efforts for decades through humanitarian assistance and through different developmental programmes. NSA emphasized the need for high level visits, enhanced trade, cooperation in education and development as well as facilitation of visa for better people to people contact. NSA said that terrorism undoubtedly has turned into a global phenomena for the way wars are being prosecuted against terrorism in different parts of the world. “Extreme thoughts are to be mitigated through change of perception, by winning hearts and minds and not by use of force alone” he commented. While highlighting implementation and achievements of National Action Plan, NSA said that National Action Plan ‘ National Unison’ and a collective endeavour of people, civil and military efforts. NSA also sensitized the High Commissioner over the increasing strategic imbalance of the region and said that the international community is over-looking Kashmir cause for some of their own strategic interests related to India. It is expected that the international community would stand with the morality and human rights. NSA said that Pakistan welcomes US offer to mediate between India and Pakistan to resolve Kashmir dispute while India has rejected the US offer. Although India regards Kashmir a bilateral issue yet it has defeated the spirit of bilateralism by defying any dialogue. NSA reiterated that India and Pakistan, two nuclear countries, cannot be enemy forever. We need to engage with each other and resolve our disputes. By resolving our disputes we need to belong to the future. NSA also underlined the need of non-discriminatory approach in considering Pakistan membership for NSG.
Pakistan looked forward to strengthen and diversify its ties with Canada.
PREVIOUS NEXT
