June 25, 2006	Sunday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 28, 1427

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TORONTO, June 24: Canada is keen to support Pakistan’s efforts towards a free and fair national election in 2007. This was stated by Deepak Obhrai, parliamentary secretary to the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while speaking at the annual dinner of Canada-Pakistan Business Council (CPBC) here on Friday.

He said a delegation of the Election Commission of Pakistan, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retired) Qazi Mohammad Farooq, was currently in Canada to study the election system.

The visiting delegation, he added, would share best practices and engage with Canadian officials on the preparation and conduct of free and fair elections in Pakistan.

“Canada believes that a sustained commitment to democracy is the best hope for Pakistan’s future,” said Mr Obhrai.

Pakistan Consul General Ghalib Iqbal said that the election commission delegation flew in here on Friday on an official visit.

Mr Obhrai, a senior parliamentarian of the ruling Conservative party, said Canada had a long standing development assistance relationship with Pakistan.