Canada intel boss flagged 'Pak role' in 'extremism'

New Delhi: A statement by one of the top functionaries of Canadian Security Intelligence Service ( CSIS ) about Pakistan ’s involvement in stoking pro-Khalistan movement in Canada has deepened doubts about the motives of the powers-that-be in Ottawa.

Venessa Llyod, interim director of CSIS, appeared before Foreign Interference Commission in Sept and was asked by the commission’s lead counsel Shantona Chaudhury about this. Lloyd said, “Pakistan’s engagement is consistently in balance with trying to reduce the influence of India... Influence of Pakistan is directly related to support of Khalistani extremism .”

Lloyd’s testimony ties in with India’s long-standing grouse that Khalistani extremists who have found shelter in Canada have been enlisted by Pakistan in its campaign against India. “You don’t have to take our word. This is what your own security and intelligence tzarina has to say. She has no dog in this fight,” said a senior govt source who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

“Why are they not outraged over this?” he asked, a remark that reflected the suspicion in official circles that Canadian PM Justin Trudeau , in escalating the disagreement between the two countries to near-breaking point, has been motivated by considerations other than “concocted” transgressions of Ottawa’s sovereignty.