Pakistan-Canada
Collaboration in the New
Millennium
Notes For An Address
By Hon. David Kilgour, MP
Edmonton Southeast, Secretary
Of State (Latin America
and Africa)
Pakistan Canada Association
of Calgary Conference
University Of Calgary, Murray
Fraser Hall, Calgary, September
2, 2000
As-Salaam Alai Kum
(May peace be upon you)
It is always a privilege
for me to attend Pakistan
Canada Association events.
In my view, the PCA stands
out, in the true Canadian
spirit, as an organization
that promotes harmony and
diversity within our multicultural
society. In gatherings such
as these, where we exchange
ideas and look to build
opportunities, we are in
fact celebrating the richness
of our diversity. We are
celebrating the Canadian
value that our strength
lies in our diversity!
As a vibrant part of Canada’s
cultural kaleidoscope, I
have long believed that
the Canadian Pakistan community
has been a champion of and
contributor to the multicultural
ideal. For many of you,
cultural heterogeneity is
nothing new. Pakistan is
a place where groups such
as the Punjabis, Sindhis, Pathans,
Muhajirs, and the
Baluchi form a rare ethnic
milieu. Here in Canada,
your social, political,
economic contribution has
set you apart.
Through your presence and
your adherence to your traditions,
you add to our multicultural
society, but you go far
beyond that. Pakistanis
are represented in all areas
of our economy, from education,
medicine, and manufacturing.
There is no doubt, as the
Canadian Pakistan community
succeeds, so does our nation.
Problems in Pakistan
As you well know, Canada
and Pakistan have traditionally
enjoyed good bilateral relations
based on our historical
development ties totalling
$2 billion since the 1950s,
shared experience in the
Commonwealth, and the presence
of the dynamic Pakistani-Canadian
community, approaching some
150,000.
It is regrettable therefore,
that since the nuclear tests
of 1998, relations have
cooled. Beyond the dangers
of nuclear weaponry, recent
developments in this regard
are doubly unfortunate because
we know that over 30 percent
of the Pakistani budget
is devoted to military spending.
This reality has resulted
in a troubling circle, where
not only is an insufficient
amount of Pakistani government
spending devoted to social
development, but sanctions
have now resulted in further
economic problems.
Because of the on-going
economic crisis in Pakistan,
Canada has experienced a
slow-down in exports to
Pakistan. However, a recent
significant sale by Nortel
Networks to Pakistan’s
Telecom Mobile of $60 million
(US) provides a strong reminder
that there are many opportunities
for Canadian companies in
Pakistan. We hope that recent
pledges made by the current
regime will result in increased
opportunities for Canadian
business. As Albertans,
we know that Pakistan offers
much potential for our oil
and gas, telecommunications
and agri-food sectors.
Canada-Pakistan Opportunities
Writing of his experience
in Islamabad, our Canadian
High Commissioner to Pakistan
recently wrote:
The Pakistani paradox
seems clear to an outsider:
a generous, well-meaning
and warm people; a country
with vast resources, stunning
landscapes and a diverse
and rich history. Yet
these attributes come
with seemingly endless
political uncertainty.
Since we are here to exchange
ideas and discuss opportunity,
I think we must talk about
the important chance we
as Canadians – and
Pakistan Canadians in particular
– have to strengthen
our relationship with Pakistan,
to help to improve the lives
of the Pakistani people
and work to improve this
paradox of which our High
Commissioner speaks.
First, I believe the Pakistani
Community has a great responsibility
to work to affect change.
There are countless examples
in Canada where cultural
groups have been able to
influence the course of
developments in their homeland.
Polish Canadians, Latin
American-Canadians, Chinese-Canadians
– to name a few groups
– have all, at different
times, worked to affect
the condition in their country
of origin and influence
the Canadian government.
You form a vital part of
the Canada’s civil
society. You hold the key
to personal, economic, cultural
and social relationships
with your homeland. You
are well placed to strengthen
these relationship and help
– despite obstacles
– to improve the economic
and social conditions of
Pakistan.
And with rich events such
as these – where we
put together our hearts
and minds – we are
reminded of how important
it is for us to work together
in this common endeavour
to assist our brothers and
sisters who still yearn
for democracy, human rights
and an appropriate standard
of living.
Canada remains engaged
Despite set-backs in our
bilateral relationship,
Canada remains committed
to engagement with the people
of Pakistan and to build
opportunities for dialogue
and contact.
Perhaps the most important
initiatives have been through
the Canadian International
Development Agency or CIDA.
CIDA’s current programme
is focussed on the reduction
of poverty, as more the
50 percent of the current
budget is devoted to initiatives
in the social sector and
support for civil society.
This initiative focusses
on health services, education
and training, community
development, and support
for NGOs and community-based
organizations. Sadly, poverty
levels in Pakistan are increasingly
dramatic – current
predictions indicate that
by 2003, some 60 million
people – or 40 percent
of the population –
will be living in poverty.
This is a tragedy of great
proportions.
Through CIDA we are engaging
with local civil society
organizations, building
their capacity for social
services delivery, participatory
development and advocacy
of the human and democratic
rights of marginalized groups
in Pakistan society.
The promotion of gender
equality is fundamental
to all aspects of the program,
as social indicators for
women are among the worst
in the world.
CIDA’s support of
the energy sector represents
approximately 35 percent
of the current budget. The
energy sector is a key sector
for economic recovery in
Pakistan/ Through the poli
and gas sector program in
particular, CIDA is helping
improve the capacity of
Pakistan to manage its hydrocarbon
resources more efficiently.
Initiatives include strengthening
the Ministry of Petroleum
and Natural Resources in
policy formulation, planning
and coordination; development
of appropriate regulatory
frameworks; and development
and enforcement of effective
conservation, safety and
environmental regulations.
With respect to the environment,
Canada has helped strengthen
Pakistan’s capacity
to develop and implement
and internationally acclaimed
National Conservation Strategy
and related programs at
the federal, provincial
and local levels.
There are also initiatives
to strengthen governmental
and non governmental organizations
and institutions to design
and implement environmental
sustainable policies and
programs. The program has
helped establish a formal
process of environmental
review and impact assessment,
planning guidelines, laws
and other institutional
frameworks. As a result
environmental awareness
in both public and private
sectors has been enhanced.
In response to the evolving
socio-political situation
in Pakistan, Canada is introducing
more systematic programming
for the promotion of governance,
human rights and democratic
development, based on CIDA’s
current programs and partnerships.
Many of CIDA’s former
NGO partners have been appointed
to key government positions,
and CIDA is well positioned
to engage with them as well
as NGOs and civil society.
The current regime in Islamabad
has made several announcements
with respect to political,
economic and social reform,
and there appears to be
guarded public support for
giving them some time to
implement those reforms.
Proposed reforms include
devolution of power and
elections at the local level;
improved governance through
public sector reform; the
upholding of human rights,
with a focus on women, children
and minorities; and a commitment
to economic recovery and
poverty reduction.
To mark Canada Day in 1999
and Canada’s continuing
commitment to the development
of Pakistan’s social
sector, three agreements
were signed between different
NGOs and CIDA. The NGOs
involved were Heartfile,
SACH and Society for Welfare
Associates (SWA). Heartfile
is working to create greater
awareness of cardiac disease
and prevention; SACH deals
with issues relating to
children; and SWA is involved
in creating employment opportunities
in textile design and interior
decorating for women from
low income groups with limited
education.
Education and Health
care
For me, the key to Pakistan’s
future – as it is the
universal key to humanity’s
future – is education
and health. Without education
and health, democracy is
elusive and an economy can’t
grow. Strong systems of
education and health are
the basis for a strong society
and the Canadian government,
through CIDA, is working
to improve the condition
in Pakistan.
I think you would all agree,
that the most important
linkages that we can pursue
in the Pakistan-Canada relationship
would be in health and education.
In this regard, I hope that
Canadian civil society and
government can work in co-operation
with our Pakistani counterparts
to forge new and stronger
partnerships.
Conclusion
I would like to thank you
again for the honour of
being your key note speaker.
I share your conviction
and passion to enhance understanding
and the fostering of good-will
among Canadians of all cultural
backgrounds. Throughout
my career in public service,
I have devoted a great deal
of energy to assisting Canadians
of a variety of origins
to work to improve the condition
of their homelands. While
the situation in Pakistan
is unfortunate in many ways,
this gathering today gives
me hope. Government, the
private sector and you,
civil society, must work
together to affect change
and improvement in Pakistan.
Let us hope that our common
commitment will bear fruit
– so that the Canada
and Pakistan relationship
will grow for years to come.
Thank you.
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