from pakistan news, harpers visit

Canada to review nuclear deal with India: Stephen Harper
Pakistan International News Network, 15th March, 2006

ISLAMABAD: Canadian Prime Minister Stefan Harper has declared on Tuesday Canada civilian nuclear technology deal inked with India is controversial and it will now be reviewed.

"Canada adhered to the policy of nuclear non-proliferation", Harper expressed these views while addressing a joint crowded press conference with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz after their marathon-meeting in the prime minister’s house.

He reiterated Canada adhered to nuclear non-proliferation policy. "Former government of Canada had inked a deal of civilian nuclear technology transfer with India, which the incumbent government considered as controversial rather would be reviewed", he remarked.

Stefan acknowledged Pakistan was playing a crucial and leading role alongwith other allies against the war on terror. He said that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had held out assurances Pakistani government would continue to intensify war on extremism and terrorism which posed great danger not only to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Canada but to the world community.

"Pakistan has taken very positive steps regarding implementation of durable peace in the region. It has eradicated terrorists training camps from its border areas and thus playing a vital role in this regard", he added.

Both the Prime Ministers discussed a host of issues including bilateral, regional and international issues. During the course of discussion, issues of Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Philistine and Kashmir and jacking-up bilateral trade also figured in the talks.

Both leaders also discussed rehabilitation and reconnection of the quake-ravaged areas to which Canada had fully contributed in this regard.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also apprised his interlocutor about the ongoing peace initiatives between India and Pakistan in line with settlement of 50-year old Kashmir dispute.

He also thanked Canadian people and government for their generous support for the quake survivors in NWFP and AJK.

Shaukat Aziz told that promotion of trade and economic cooperation also came under discussion with the Canadian Prime Minister.

"At the moment, we have $600 million trade which would be extended with the passage of time", he added. He went on to say that he had discussed free trade agreement with Canada and both countries wanted to further improve the existing trade relation.

He said that friendly atmosphere existed in the country and urged upon the Canadian investors to invest their capital in Pakistan. He said that great number of Pakistanis were living in Canada and were contributing in the progress and development of that country.

He noted that issue of sacrilegious cartoons had also discussed and the Canadian counterpart had taken it very seriously.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz described that Pakistan wanted Canadian help in health and human development sectors.

He underscored that Pakistan was playing a very important role in war on terror because terrorists were not friends of any one. "War is inevitable against terrorists for the world peace", he said adding Pakistan had got several success on this count.

About Afghanistan, he said that Pakistan was enjoying very close and friendly ties with Kabul and his government wanted settlement of all issues through dialogue.