OTTAWA, Feb 26: Canada told Pakistan on Monday that it had to improve the control of its border with Afghanistan to stop the flow of militants seeking to attack Nato troops.

Comments by Prime Minister Stephen Harper represented the first time Canada has publicly criticised Pakistan for not doing enough to block Taliban fighters from crossing its mountainous border into Afghanistan.

“We will concede that the Pakistan situation remains a long-term problem and we do need better efforts from Pakistan on that problem, not just for the security of Afghanistan but for the security of the region,” Harper told reporters.—Reuters

Latafat Ali Siddiqui adds: Meanwhile, Prime Minister Harper announced $200 million in additional funding for reconstruction and development activities in Afghanistan.

The announcement was made following a meeting with Christopher Alexander, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN secretary-general for Afghanistan.

“Taken together, the projects funded by today’s announcement will help build the peaceful, stable, democratic country the long-suffering Afghan people deserve,” said the prime minister.