Having recently returned from Afghanistan, Conservative MP Helena Guergis trumpeted the progress Canadian troops are making in helping to establish stability and security in the war-torn south.

But critics say their focus is detrimental to stabilization in the country.

Guergis, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, told CTV's Question Period on Sunday that she met with Afghan women who wanted to thank Canadians for their efforts in providing a safe environment for education and employment.

"I met with one woman who wanted me to pass along to Canadians and to Canadian women specifically, thank you very much for what Canada is doing and to stick by their side," Guergis told Jane Taber, co-host of Question Period.

She reiterated that securing the country allows for development to begin and aide to filter into the country.

"Once you see the big picture, it all comes together and you realize that we are making incredible progress and it's not easy," Guergis said.

"It takes a lot and you have to ensure that you have the security first of all, in order for a lot of the peace to continue."

Guergis maintained Canadian Forces are helping the Afghan people to slowly take back their country with initiatives such as microfinance projects to help Afghans start their own small businesses.

"I'm not going to give anybody the illusion that they feel there is no threat anymore. This is a country for three decades where the Afghan people have been under tyranny and they know that it's not just snapping your fingers and all of a sudden it's safe."

"They know there is still a long way to go but they appreciate the progress that has been made."

However, critics maintain Canadian troops need to move out of the volatile southern parts of Afghanistan and focus their efforts on development in the North.

"NATO has a very important roll in stabilizing Afghanistan, but I believe chasing the Taliban around the rural areas, which is what we are doing a great deal of at the moment, is probably a mistake," Rory Stewart, an expert on Afghanistan, told CTV's Question Period on Sunday from Washington.

"We are creating unnecessary enemies and we are confronting people who are not necessarily a threat to us."

Stewart, a former military officer, diplomat and author, walked across Afghanistan in 2002. He believes Canadian forces have stretched themselves too far and Afghan police and military have neither the capacity nor the will to take back their country.

"I would prefer us to concentrate on the central north of the country where the people are much more well disposed towards us, where there is much more that we can achieve.

Guergis countered by saying: "at one point Kabul was in the same situation that we are seeing in the south, let's remember that. We didn't give up there and everyone has continued to work in Kabul to see more progress and that's what we should continue to do in the south."

However, Stewart explained the conservative communities in the south don't welcome foreign, non Muslim troops in their country. He recommended quietly investing in Afghan women, education and infrastructure so life "can genuinely improve without imposing Western values."