Pakistan-Canada relations received fresh momentum on Monday as Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand expressed Ottawa’s interest in expanding trade and investment cooperation during meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad.

Anand, who is on a one-day official visit, said Canada wanted to explore new opportunities for bilateral cooperation in agriculture, mining, renewable energy, automobiles and auto parts.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Anand said the proposed Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA) would strengthen investor confidence and encourage greater Canadian investment in Pakistan.

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She also said she was visiting Pakistan on the instructions of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to deepen bilateral relations between the two countries.

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and Canada enjoy friendly relations and have significant potential to increase cooperation in trade, investment and other key sectors.

He identified agriculture, agri-foods, vaccine manufacturing, renewable energy, automobiles and auto parts as areas with strong prospects for collaboration.

The prime minister conveyed his greetings to Prime Minister Mark Carney and said he looked forward to meeting him. He also thanked Canada for supporting Pakistan’s regional peace efforts.

Both sides agreed that the Pakistani community in Canada continues to serve as an important bridge between the two countries.

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz witnessed the signing of a Protocol on Phytosanitary Regulations governing the import of Canadian canola into Pakistan. The agreement was signed by Ishaq Dar and Anita Anand.

Dar Highlights Investment Opportunities

During a joint press conference, Ishaq Dar described Anand’s visit as an important milestone in Pakistan-Canada relations.

He said economic cooperation remains a key priority and highlighted opportunities to expand trade, investment and business-to-business partnerships.

Dar invited Canadian companies to invest in education, energy, mining, critical minerals, agriculture, infrastructure and information technology.

He said both countries agreed to strengthen institutional cooperation through regular consultations and closer engagement between relevant ministries and stakeholders.

The deputy prime minister added that Pakistan’s National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency would explore technical cooperation and capacity-building initiatives.

Both sides also welcomed continued discussions aimed at reaching an early conclusion on the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.

Regional Issues Also Discussed

Dar said the talks covered regional and international developments, including Afghanistan and counterterrorism cooperation.

He also raised the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, describing it as a long-standing international dispute on the United Nations Security Council agenda.

The foreign minister urged Canada to support the restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after India suspended the agreement earlier this year.

“We seek the support of our friendly countries, including Canada, towards India’s immediate restoration of the IWT, ending the weaponisation of water and upholding international law,” Dar said.

First Visit in Nearly Two Decades

Anand described her visit as an important step in strengthening bilateral relations and noted that it marked the first visit by a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly 20 years.

She said Pakistan and Canada have enjoyed almost 80 years of diplomatic relations and stressed the need to deepen cooperation in trade, investment and other sectors.

The two countries also held delegation-level talks, where officials agreed to expand cooperation in priority areas and hold annual meetings to review progress on bilateral initiatives.