ISLAMABAD Pakistan and Canada need to reinforce their bilateral economic relationship, specially trade and commercial exchanges for which there is a great potential, High Commissioner to Canada Musa Javed Chohan said.

He was addressing the ambassadors roundtable organised by the Norman Patterson School for International Affairs at the Carleton University in Ottawa.

Musa Javed Chohan said with a population of approximately 165 million people, Pakistan offers an attractive and large market for Canadian exports and investments.

'Foreign investment is critical to our endeavours to maintain our economic growth rate of 7 per cent so necessary to meet the requirements of our burgeoning population,' he added.

Highlighting Pakistans contributions in the war against terrorism, the High Commissioner said Pakistan was fighting the war against terrorism in its national interest and making every possible effort to eliminate this scourge from the globe.

Its persistent pursuit requires avoidance of the blame game that would only encourage the militants.

He said Pakistans policy was based on three prongs - negotiations with those elements that lay down their arms, socio-economic development of FATA and use of force as a last resort against anti-social elements.

'Military force alone will not resolve the issue of winning the hearts and minds of the people and public support is required,' he said.

Chohan said the unfolding Afghan tragedy was not a recent phenomenon as for over three decades, Pakistan bore the brunt of the conflict in Afghanistan.

'We are resolved to support our Afghan brethren, out of whom four million, at one time, sought refuge in Pakistan.'

Without stability in Afghanistan there cannot be stability in Pakistan.

Pakistan was providing $300 million for Afghanistans reconstruction, besides offering 1000 scholarships for training of Afghan cadres.

He said despite its own food shortages Pakistan was assisting Afghanistan to overcome wheat shortage.

He said Pakistan was following a policy of constructive engagement with the Karzai government.

Talking of bilateral relations, the High Commissioner said there was a strong political will at the highest level to further strengthen and broaden Canada-Pakistan relationship.