The Canadian Ambassador in Pakistan David B Collins and his wife Jacquie Collins reached here on Friday evening for a day's visit. Canadian Secretary for International Development Barabara Humick accompanied them.
The AJK Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan hosted a dinner in honour of the visiting dignitaries attended also by ministers and high ranking officials. Canada has undertaken to rebuild 38 primary, five high and one degree college buildings in Muzaffarabad as part of their contribution towards post-earthquake relief.
A large number of Kashmiris are working in Canada. A good number of earthquake victims were also permanently settled and job-absorbed by government of Canada. The Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir also briefed the guests on post-earthquake reconstruction operations, international community's rebuilding role for a longer period, educational requirements of Kashmiri students and ongoing Kashmir-related dialogue process between Pakistan and India.
The AJK premier reiterated that Kashmiris favoured a peaceful negotiated resolution of Kashmir dispute. However their association with the dialogue process can accelerate the resolution process, he stressed.
Sardar Attique told his guests that President General Pervez Musharraf's four fresh ideas on Kashmir had the backing of a majority of Kashmiris including the All Parties Hurriyat Conference in both parts of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. International Community's moral, political and diplomatic clout can inject new pace in the process, he added.
Canada favours negotiated settlement of Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India. About a month ago the Canadian ambassador had more than two hours frank talks with the AJK Prime Minister in Kashmir House Islamabad. The Prime Minister had invited him and his wife to visit Muzaffarabad.