ISLAMABAD, SEPT 2, SPA – Visiting Canadian Defense Minister Gordon O’Connor has 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 to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency after a visit to Afghanistan. O’Connor 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 governments to increase cooperation and have trust in each other. 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. 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. On Pakistan-Canada military ties, O’Connor said in his meetings with the Pakistan leaders he would stress to encourage and improve bilateral defense relationship.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/386551