KARACHI, March 9: A Canadian senator of Pakistani origin, Salma Attaullah Jan, says people in Canada are keen to know about Pakistan and do not hold a myopic view of the country often held by citizens of its North American neighbour.

Speaking to journalists at a gathering at the Karachi Press Club on Friday, she narrated an anecdote.

“We had these MPs travelling to India and then someone suggested they visit Pakistan as well. Once back in Canada, the two seemed positively thrilled by the experience and said ‘Pakistan is the most misunderstood country in the world’”.

Born in 1952 in Mardan, Ms Jan was educated at the Convent of Jesus and Mary, Murree, and moved to Canada in 1979.

Working as an estate agent and dabbling in art, the green-eyed woman also devoted her time to social work.

An active supporter of The Citizens Foundation, Toronto chapter, she was described as a ‘mini powerhouse’ by a patron. Yet another patron described her as ‘tough as nails with a softer side that is aptly reflected in her paintings’.

In 2008, Ms Jan lost in federal election to Liberal candidate Navdeep Bains in Mississauga-Brampton South, but in 2010 she was nominated by PM Stephan Harper for the senate. Of the 105 senators, she is the only Canadian who hails from Pakistan.

When a journalist asked whether she knew Pashto, she beamed with pride and said: “Yes, I do and so do my daughters”.

On the issue of racism, she said: “As a citizen I never experienced it in Canada. However, it was different once I became senator.

The guards at the senate had a hard time comprehending the fact that I could be a senator and I practically had to question them as to why I can’t be one.”

However, Ms Jan was quick to point out that unlike the United States, Canada is always open to integration and assimilation.

“The government has made an active effort to keep the communities in touch with their roots back home.”

When questioned about Pakistan’s image in the western world and how the Oscar winner Saving Face would reflect on it, she said that not many people in Canada were aware of the fact that Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy is also Canadian.

“Christopher Plummer’s Oscar win some years ago was the most famous one. But when I mentioned it to my peers that Obaid-Chinoy was a Canadian, they were pleasantly surprised.”

Asked if the documentary would have a negative impact, she said: “There is no harm in facing reality. Although I have not seen the documentary, I do feel that we must highlight these atrocities.”

She further rejected the view that the documentary was an attempt to show the country in a bad light and said: “All societies and countries face such issues and bringing them to fore will lead to more awareness. Most importantly, highlighting these issues will also lead to the implementation of the laws which are there.”