KARACHI: Pakistan urged to do more against extremism
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, Sept 21: The Canadian High Commissioner in Pakistan Mr David B.Collins on Thursday appreciated Pakistan’s ‘crucial’ role in the US-led campaign against terrorism but stressed the need for more to counter extremism.
Speaking on Canada-Pakistan relations at the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs, the Canadian diplomat acknowledged that successes in the campaign against terrorism could not be assured by military means only. Long term success, he said, required development and improved governance.
The Canadian High Commissioner said his country “applauds efforts of President Pervez Musharraf, of countless ordinary soldiers and other citizens in our collective struggle. But we all need to do more to counter extremists, prevent cross-border incursions and foster new hope next door”.
Mr Collins referred to Canada’s role in Afghan reconstruction and said that Al Qaeda, Taliban and other insurgents remained a major threat, adding that these terrorist outfits posed a security threat not only to Afghanistan’s security but security at the global level. Following 9/11 terrorist attacks, Canada had deployed more than 14,000 of its armed forces’ personnel in Afghanistan as part of the UN-supported International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Operation Enduring Freedom missions.
He reiterated Canada’s commitment to Afghan reconstruction and said that Pakistan also had a significant role to play. It was in the interest of all members of the international community to establish a stable and developed Afghanistan -- but perhaps no country had more to gain than Pakistan. He said that the issue of security in border areas, continuing drug trade and re-settlement of refugees were issues that were equally important for Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Referring to significant ethnic and tribal loyalties on both sides of the border, Mr Collins said that security and development of Afghanistan and Pakistan were inexorably linked. “If Pakistan is to become an important energy and trade corridor for Central Asia and beyond, stability of Afghanistan becomes a crucial factor,” he observed.He said that it is crucial that Pakistan and Afghanistan work closely to strengthen security on border and identify people who will exploit close ties between people in border regions to cross it with violent intent. “We look forward to working with Pakistani and Afghan people to meet these challenges,” he said.
“We do think of Afghanistan and Pakistan as two sides of same coin, at least in border regions. Our involvement in South Asia today is without precedent, our inter-dependence with Pakistan in helping to deliver security in this part of world is also without precedent. We count on support and advice of friends and critics in Pakistan to make this collective effort a success for well being of all,” the Canadian High Commissioner said.
