News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Prime Minister Harper announces Special Advisor on South Asia and the Middle East

August 8, 2006
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the appointment of Wajid Khan, MP, Mississauga--Streetsville as Special Advisor on South Asia and the Middle East. Mr. Khan will travel to these two regions in the coming weeks and report on medium and long-term opportunities to further Canadian engagement there in early October.

“Canada has an increasing number of interests in both South Asia and the Middle East,” the Prime Minister stated. “I am delighted Wajid Khan will be sharing his insights on future developments with the Government of Canada.”

Wajid Khan was born in Lahore, Pakistan and served in the Pakistani Airforce before moving to Canada in 1974. He has significant contacts, experience and cultural familiarity with South Asia and the Middle East. He has long been a prominent voice in the Toronto Pakistani and Muslim communities. He was first elected to the House of Commons in 2004.

“Canada’s commitment in Afghanistan has focused the country’s attention on these regions,” Mr. Khan said. “I support our commitment in Afghanistan and offered my services to the Prime Minister as Canada plans for the future. I will report to him on my first-hand experiences and observations from these regions.”

Wajid Khan will work with Canadian diplomats as he travels in these regions and prepares his report.

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The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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