Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Perry Calderwood on Thursday condemned the recent terrorist attacks across the country and assured his country's support in eradicating terrorism from the country. Addressing a news conference in connection with celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation, the High Commissioner emphasised that there is a need for joint co-operation to effectively fight terrorism.
He expressed grief and sorrow over the recent terrorist attacks and also extended condolences to the victims' families. He said his country is considering extending co-operation to Pakistan in its fight against the terrorism. He said that there is also co-operation between the two countries in areas like security, renewable energy, health and education, human rights and climate change.
He further said that Canada has an important role in strengthening democracy in Pakistan and hoped that the upcoming general elections of 2018 are held in free, fair and transparent environment.
About China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said that the project would open new avenues of investment in Pakistan, China and Central Asian states. He said that the High Commission will provide facilities to Canadian companies interested in projects under the CPEC.
Canada has a significant development co-operation programme in Pakistan of about Canadian $67 million per year while Canada-Pakistan bilateral trade reached approximately Canadian $1.5 billion in 2016, and ties between the Canadian and Pakistani peoples continue to grow, he added.
Referring to Pakistan immigrants living in Canada, he said that there are about 0.3 million Pakistan Canadians who are playing active role in development of Canada and some 4,000 Pakistani students are studying in various Canadian universities. Reflecting on the country's history, High Commissioner Calderwood explained that in 1867, four colonies united to form a Confederation called Canada. Over the years, additional territories chose to join the country which grew to occupy the northern half of the North American continent.
"From our British, French and indigenous roots, we have opened our doors to cultures from around the world. The Canada of today is a peaceful pluralistic society with strong democratic values," he said.
The HC highlighted the multicultural aspect of the country and emphasised that Canada's commitment to inclusiveness is reflected in the political leadership. For the first time, he added that Canada's federal cabinet, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is characterised by gender parity with women occupying a number of the most important portfolios.
He said that the cabinet includes several ministers who were born outside of Canada, including the Minister of Immigration, who came to Canada as a refugee from Somalia. "We are proud that all Canadians are equal, and can aspire to occupy the highest offices in the land, whether they became citizens last week, or their ancestors arrived in Canada millennia ago," he said.