ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Canada have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation, with both countries agreeing to deepen trade, investment, security collaboration and development partnerships during high-level talks held in Islamabad on Monday.
The discussions took place between Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, who is visiting Pakistan on her first official trip since taking office. The visit marks a significant step in strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries amid growing interest in enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors.
Addressing a joint press conference following delegation-level talks at the Foreign Office, Anita Anand described Pakistan as “an important partner for Canada in South Asia and beyond.” She announced new Canadian investments in security cooperation, development assistance and economic collaboration while reaffirming Ottawa’s commitment to strengthening long-term relations with Islamabad.
A key outcome of the meeting was the agreement to work towards finalising a modern Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). The proposed agreement is expected to improve investor confidence, provide stronger legal protections for businesses and encourage greater two-way investment between Pakistan and Canada.
Welcoming the initiative, Ishaq Dar invited Canadian businesses to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan’s priority sectors, including education, renewable energy, mining, critical minerals, agriculture, infrastructure and information technology. He said the two countries share longstanding relations supported by historical ties, an active Pakistani diaspora in Canada and steadily growing economic cooperation.
Trade featured prominently in the discussions, with Anand highlighting the potential to further expand agricultural commerce. She noted that Pakistan imported more than 470,000 tonnes of Canadian canola during the last crop year and expressed Canada's interest in increasing imports of Pakistani products such as rice, textiles and sporting goods.
The Canadian foreign minister also highlighted several major investment projects already underway. She said JCM Power, working in partnership with K-Electric, is expected to begin development of the 240-megawatt Dhabeji hybrid wind and solar project, which aims to strengthen Pakistan’s renewable energy capacity. Anand also pointed to opportunities for closer cooperation in mining and critical minerals, including Barrick Gold’s ongoing investment in the Reko Diq project.
In addition to economic cooperation, Canada announced more than C$2.2 million in funding for three new security initiatives involving Interpol, the United Nations and other international partners. These programmes will support law enforcement cooperation, regional security and institutional capacity-building.
Anand also unveiled C$45 million in new development assistance aimed at helping Pakistan address climate change, improve disaster resilience, expand educational opportunities—particularly for girls—and strengthen reproductive health and family planning services. The funding will also support communities affected by recent devastating floods.
Both sides stressed that stronger economic ties would benefit businesses and citizens in both countries. Anand said Pakistan forms an important part of Canada’s broader trade diversification strategy and acknowledged Islamabad’s efforts to encourage dialogue for a peaceful and sustainable resolution to tensions in the Middle East.
The latest agreements reflect growing momentum in Pakistan-Canada relations, with both governments seeking to expand cooperation in trade, investment, clean energy, security and sustainable development in the years ahead.
