KARACHI, July 18: Canada would work together with Pakistan to help achieve the goal of enlightened moderation, said Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Margaret Huber at a gathering here. “Pakistan’s return to the Commonwealth is a welcome development. The steps being taken to rebuild democracy and good governance in this country deserve our active encouragement and support. “The signals that Pakistan sends, on importance of free, fair and credible LG elections will be vital,” she observed while addressing members of English-Speaking Union of Pakistan here on Monday.

Ms Huber felt that important factor in such a developments was a measurable trend.

“I am more of an optimist for Pakistan than ever. Major social issues are being addressed, like reference of Hasba Bill (passed by NWFP Assembly) to Supreme Court or debate on so-called honour crimes. The discussion in this country is shifting to crimes that are against the state, society and human rights.”

She noted that in the struggle against terror, Pakistan has achieved much in circumstances that no one could envy. Canada welcomes Pakistan government’s announcements about efforts to strengthen curricula in all schools, including madaris.

Ms Huber said nuclear issue remains a pre-occupation for many countries, including Canada. “We continue to work for cool heads and culture of deep restraint.”

On international front, she said she was impressed by sincere efforts by Pakistan in many fields, to find common ground with India.

Among major geo-political issues, relationships between two nuclear neighbours of Pakistan and India rank at top level, and rapprochement was one more building block in construction of “a saner and safer world. Canada is proud to have helped lay that foundation.”

“We are putting final touches on conversion of Pakistan’s development debt to Canada, totalling more than half a billion dollars into a special fund of over $100 million to be invested in public sector education to propel improvements in professional skills and knowledge of Pakistani teachers.

“A considerable part of this fund, to be spent over five years, will be expended in Sindh,” she added.

She said her country believes in tolerance for diversity, respect for differences and supports human rights. “We are cooperating with Pakistan in gender equality, good governance, education, health.”

Later answering questions, Ms Huber said Canadian International Development Agency was forging global efforts on 25 countries with increasing overall budget and Pakistan was one of priority country.

She said while Canadian exports to Pakistan grew in last two years but declined from Islamabad. There is need for Pakistani businessmen to introduce themselves in Canada. Pakistan’s economy is 66 per cent dependent on textile, and there is important to have growth in hightech sectors, she added.

Abdullah Hussain Haroon, President ESUP, and Byram D Avari, Honorary Consul of Canada in Karachi, also spoke.—PPI