Pakistan, Canada to reinforce Defence Ties
By Sarah Kamal 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Canada have underscored the need for closer cooperation in their struggle against the war on terror.

Both the sides expressed their eagerness to harness defence ties during a meeting between Senior Federal Minister and Minister for Defence, Rao Sikandar Iqbal, and the visiting Minister of National Defence of Canada, Gordon O’Connor, here.

The meeting discussed the geo-political situation of the region with special focus on developments in Afghanistan.

The Minister told the visiting dignitary that it was the earnest desire of Pakistan to see peace and stability in Afghanistan. The Minister highlighted the steps taken by Pakistan against fighting the menace of terrorism and extremism.

The Minister told his Canadian counterpart that Pakistan was cooperating with 50 countries of the world in fight against terrorism. He said Pakistan was making all-out efforts to curb the menace.

The Canadian Defence Minister said that Canada wanted to reinforce its ties with Pakistan for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

He briefed the Minister about the developments taking place in Afghanistan. The meeting also stressed the need for exchange of visits by the Military personnel of the two countries so as to benefit each other’s interests.

Earlier, the Canadian Defence Minister called on Secretary Defence, Lt. General Tariq Waseem Ghazi ®, and discussed with him matters of bilateral importance.

The Secretary told the Canadian Defence Minister that a stable Afghanistan was vital for the economic interest of Pakistan as it would help provide access and trade corridor to Pakistan to Central Asian States.

The Secretary emphasized the need for institutionalization of Defence cooperation between the two countries.

Gordon O’Connor also called on Federal Minister for Defence Production, Habibullah Warraich, and discussed with him matters of mutual interest.

Both sides exchanged views on the Security environment of the region.

The Minister told the Defence Minister of Canada that the Government of Pakistan wanted to see peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The Minister apprised the Canadian Defence delegation about the role played by Pakistan in combating terrorism.

Lauds Pakistan’s Role

Canadian Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor Friday lauded Pakistan for doing “fantastic job” in the fight against terrorism and stressed more cooperation between Kabul and Islamabad to effectively counter the menace.

“I really appreciate what Pakistan is doing and they are doing a fantastic job,” the Minister said in an interview here after a visit to neighbouring Afghanistan.

O’Connor, who served Canada as a military officer for over 30 years and retired at the rank of Brigadier General acknowledged the difficult job of controlling the long porous border that Pakistan and Afghanistan share.

He underlined the need for both the Pakistan and the Afghanistan government to increase cooperation and have trust in each other.

“The two governments have to cooperate as much as possible; they have to exchange information...more the (two) governments cooperate, it makes the situation better. Show confidence in (each) other,” he added.

The Minister appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in fighting terrorism, especially in dealing with Taliban.

O’Connor who visited Kandahar and Kabul before landing in Islamabad agreed there had been a resurgence of Taliban in the last four to five months, particularly in the southern parts of the war-ravaged country.

Recap

He was in Afghanistan to meet more than 2,200 troops, most of whom are stationed in the southern parts. About 22 Canadian soldiers have been killed since they first landed in the country in 2002.

Given the large number of Taliban in the Kandahar region, the Minister anticipated the new surge in Taliban’s activity to go on for a number of months before it was brought under control.

He noted increasing provocation from the radical militia who were now attacking in a rather bigger group of 30 to 40 Taliban.

But that was also resulting in more fatalities on the Taliban side, he said while adding that there had also been casualties on the coalition forces’ side.

While it was difficult to eliminate insurgency, the Canadian Minister was confident to reduce Taliban activities in the next four or five months.

The Canadian Minister said there had been elements in the local population who supported Taliban. “There had to be a support from the local people, otherwise insurgency could not survive,” he added.

However, O’Connor said he gathered from his meetings with the tribal leaders in Kandahar that they desired peace and wanted Taliban to stop their activity to enable the Afghan government carry on with serving the people.

Responding to a question on the security situation in the South Asia region, the Minister said it was in everybody’s interest that India and Pakistan should develop and increase friendly ties.

He said it was important as both Pakistan and India were “significant countries” which had an effect on the entire region.

On Pakistan-Canada military ties, O’Connor said in his meetings with the Pakistan leaders he would stress to encourage and improve bilateral defence relationship.

He suggested more frequent meetings between the officials of the two armed forces to further strengthen the defence ties.

The Minister informed that the two countries have started to exchange officers at staff college level and were exploring possibilities of more such training.

As Pakistan has a number of defence production capability, O’Connor said on his return he would ask to look into the possibility of cooperation in this area.

Appointed to Cabinet in February, 2006 O’Connor was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004 and re-elected in 2006.●