GILGIT, Sept 18: Canadian Deputy Prime Minster Anne McLellan has assured continued support of her country in the socio-economic development of Northern Areas. She was addressing a gathering at the Aga Khan Girls Academy, Karimabad, in Hunza on Saturday.

She said the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will continue to carry out development activities in Northern Areas with an accelerated pace for the welfare of its people.

Ms McLellan said the CIDA would also initiate development plans in other areas in consultation with people’s representatives. She said the CIDA will also organize capacity-building programmes for local public representatives and the legislators.

She invited some local leaders of Northern Areas to visit Canada.

She lauded the services and efforts of the Aga Khan Development Network, which, she said had been playing a vital role in the uplift of Northern Areas, particularly Hunza valley.

She said the AKDN was not only a symbol of pride for Pakistan but also for the entire world.

She urged the world to follow its development vision.

She appreciated women’s role in Hunza for promotion of literacy, adding that women in this area were far better than any other rural areas of the entire world.

Ms McLellan pledged to contribute more to empower women in Northern Areas of Pakistan.

She assured to undertake another visit to the Northern Areas shortly.

Sixty women from Altit, Baltit and Ganish villages called on her and apprised her of their contribution in development of the area.

The Canadian deputy prime minister also commended the services and valuable contribution of Prince Karim Aga Khan for the socio-economic development of the area and welfare of its people.

Deputy Bhief Executive Northern Areas Mir Ghazanfar Ali Khan also spoke on the occasion and thanked Canadian deputy prime minister for visiting area and her country’s valuable assistance for the development and improving the living standard of the people of the area.

Later gifts were exchanged between two sides.—APP