Canada hails Pakistan's investment-friendly policies
ISLAMABAD (May 28 2005): Canadian High Commissioner Margrate Hubber has appreciated the investment-friendly policies initiated by Pakistan for attracting foreign investments and said that Canada was also among the largest foreign investors in Pakistan and there is a great potential for further investment. Canada was one of the largest donor countries for Pakistan in the fields of education and health and would enhance its support in future for these sectors, the Ambassador told APP in an interview on Friday.
She said that the female literacy rate in Pakistan is low and called for further efforts to enhance it. "Canada shares Pakistan's views on United Nations reforms and concern about proposed expansion of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)," the Canadian High Commissioner said. "Canada's policy on the issue is the same as that of Pakistan," she added.
She welcomed Pakistan-India rapprochement and suggested that the two South Asian neighbours should follow the voices of their people and promote bilateral relations. Margrate Hubber called for further expediting the dialogue process for peace between the two countries.
"Now is the time for the leadership of the two countries to consider the voices and wishes of their people and resolve their outstanding disputes for peace," she said.
"The government and people of Canada are feeling very happy on the breakthrough on the process of ongoing dialogue for peace and improved relations between India and Pakistan," she remarked.
"The violations of human rights by anyone in any country should be condemned," she observed, in reply to a question about the rights situation in the Indian-occupied Kashmir.
Margrate Hubber outlined changes in the Canadian visa regime enabling Pakistani students in Canada to work in the country.
She described as "highly commendable" Pakistan's pivotal role in the war on terror and expressed the hope that the country would continue to play this role.
Margrate acknowledged that after 9/11 expatriate Pakistanis had faced problems across the globe and some citizens had faced interrogation.
She commended the efforts and role of President General Pervez Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the promotion of peace in the region.
The High Commissioner said that President Musharraf's policy of enlightened moderation would help promote understanding and harmony in the world.
"Entire world is valuing the policy of enlightened moderation of General Pervez Musharraf," she said.
The High Commissioner said that the democratic process in Pakistan had moved forward, adding that the forthcoming local bodies' elections would further strengthen the process.
She appreciated the freedom enjoyed by the media in Pakistan.
"Press is today enjoying enormous freedom, which was never seen before in Pakistan," she said.
She hoped that the women of Pakistan would participate more effectively in all spheres of life.
Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005