Pakistan, Canada pledge closer ties with focus on trade, security and investment

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Canada on Monday agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, security and development as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand during her visit to Islamabad, the first by a Canadian foreign minister in around two decades.

Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, Dar said the two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen economic engagement.

He said Pakistan had highlighted the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in creating a business-friendly environment and invited Canadian companies to invest in emerging sectors.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Anita Anand @AnitaAnandMP, today in Islamabad.

The two sides reviewed recent developments in Pakistan–Canada bilateral relations and exchanged views… pic.twitter.com/0nb5L4UBXZ

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 20, 2026

“Our discussions also covered cooperation in the areas of education, labour mobility, consular matters, science and technology, climate change and people-to-people exchanges,” Dar said, adding that both countries shared an interest in further strengthening collaboration in these fields.

The deputy prime minister said the talks also focused on regional and international developments, including the situation in Afghanistan and counterterrorism cooperation.

Referring to relations with India, Dar said he had raised the longstanding Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) dispute and criticised New Delhi’s decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.

“We seek the support of our friendly countries, including Canada, towards India’s immediate restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty, ending the weaponisation of water and upholding international law and treaty obligations,” he said.

Dar added that a joint statement outlining the outcomes of the discussions would be released by the Foreign Office.

Canada seeks stronger economic partnership

Anand described her visit as an important milestone, noting that it was the first by a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in approximately 20 years.

“Our two countries have shared 80 years of diplomatic relations,” she said, adding that both sides were committed to deepening cooperation in trade, investment and economic relations.

She said Pakistan was an important partner in Canada’s trade diversification strategy as Ottawa seeks to double its non-US trade over the next decade.

Highlighting the role of the Pakistani diaspora, Anand said more than 300,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin served as a bridge between the two countries.

She also acknowledged Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to support dialogue aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East, including those involving Iran.

“Canada remains concerned by the escalation of tensions across the Middle East and Gulf region,” she said, urging all parties to exercise restraint, protect civilians and pursue dialogue.

Investment, security and development initiatives

Anand announced that both countries had agreed to expedite negotiations on a new Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), saying the framework would provide greater certainty for businesses and encourage investment.

She said Canada also saw opportunities to expand agricultural trade and welcomed Pakistan’s imports of more than 470,000 tonnes of Canadian canola during the last crop year.

The minister highlighted ongoing Canadian investments in Pakistan, including the 240-megawatt Dabiji hybrid wind and solar project being developed by JCM Power in partnership with K-Electric, as well as Barrick’s investment in the Reko Diq mining project.

On security cooperation, Anand announced more than $2.2 million in new Canadian funding for three initiatives with Pakistan through Interpol, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to strengthen border management, counterterrorism efforts, financial crime investigations and law enforcement training.

She also unveiled $45 million in new development assistance programmes to support climate resilience, education, particularly for girls, reproductive health, family planning and flood recovery in Pakistan.

“From development cooperation, to security collaboration, to expanded trade and investment, Canada and Pakistan have meaningful opportunities to strengthen our relationship for the benefit of both of our peoples,” Anand said.