Pakistan turmoil may raise risks of Canada's Afghan mission: MacKay

Defence minister for Canada, Peter MacKay told reporters that the growing uncertainty in Pakistan can send refugees into Afghanistan, which therefore, increasing the risk of facing Canadian Soldiers. MacKay criticized Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's proclamation of a state of emergency rule and suspension of the country's constitution on Saturday. However, Musharraf retaliated by saying that the action was taken to curb extremism. MacKay told reporters on Saturday and I quote, “We see this very much as a step in the wrong direction, and We certainly condemn the move away from the democratic principles, respect for rule of law."Since the release of this new law on Saturday, 1,500 people have been arrersted in Pakistan, including opposition leaders and activists. 350 of the 1500 people were lawyers arrested while protesting Musharraf's actions at courts across the country Monday morning. Peter MacKay told reporters that significant turmoil in Pakistan could cause a flood of unemployed, angry people returning to their homeland where these people would become prey for Taliban recruiters. The thing that MacKay is currently most worried about is the number of recruits Tabliban can draw from the refugee camps just inside the border of Pakistan. Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier has sent a "strong statement" to Pakistan, so has the U.S and Britain and other Western countries.
I think the President Musharraf’s decision on a state of emergency rule and the suspoension of the country’s constitution is a amature decision which has not been carefully thought about. Placing this rule will ultimatley anger Pakistan citizens who are living in refugee camps just inside the border of Pakistan and these citizens can become easy targets for Tabliban to recruit. This causes problems and brings danger to Canadian soldiers who are patrolling the neighbouring country, Afghnastan. Also, as the world is advancing and changing their government into a democratic government, and the suspend from constitution will be a upset to the economy of the country, as well as to the people of Pakistan. As stats shows, over the period of 3 days, more than 1500 people has retaliated against this rediculious rule, and I hope President Musharraf come to his senses before his government gets over thrown.