Pakistan and Canada on Monday agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, security and development, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to institutionalise bilateral engagement, while Canada announced assistance worth over $47 million for security and development initiatives in Pakistan.
Addressing a joint press stakeout along with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar said Pakistan and Canada shared longstanding and multifaceted ties anchored in historical linkages, strong people-to-people contacts and a vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada.
He said both sides agreed to maintain the momentum generated by the visit through enhanced institutional cooperation, regular bilateral consultations and closer interaction between relevant ministries and stakeholders.
The deputy prime minister said economic cooperation remained a central pillar of bilateral relations, with discussions focusing on expanding trade and investment, facilitating business-to-business contacts and promoting collaboration in the areas of mutual interest.
He invited Canadian companies to invest in Pakistan's priority sectors, including education, energy, mining and critical minerals, agriculture, infrastructure and information technology.
DPM Dar announced that the two countries would later sign a new protocol establishing predictable phytosanitary import conditions for Canadian canola in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
He said Pakistan's National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority, the Environment Protection Agency and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency had also agreed to explore technical cooperation and capacity building in food safety and agricultural trade.
Referring to negotiations on the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (Fippa), Dar said both countries welcomed the progress made so far and agreed to continue engagement for an early and mutually beneficial conclusion of the agreement.
The talks also covered cooperation in education, labour mobility, science and technology, climate change, consular affairs and people-to-people exchanges, while the two sides exchanged views on Afghanistan and counter-terrorism cooperation.
On regional issues, the deputy prime minister said he raised the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, describing it as a longstanding unresolved issue on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) agenda.
He also sought Canada's support for the restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), urging adherence to international law and treaty obligations.
Maiden visit in nearly two decades
Speaking on the occasion, Canadian FM Anand said her visit was particularly significant as it marked the first visit by a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly 20 years despite the two countries having maintained diplomatic relations for eight decades.
She said Pakistan occupied an important place in Canada's strategy to diversify its global trade, adding that more than 300,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin continued to strengthen ties between the two countries.
Anand acknowledged Islamabad's efforts in promoting dialogue aimed at easing regional tensions in the Middle East and said Ottawa remained concerned over the escalation of conflict in the region, attacks on civilian infrastructure and threats to maritime security, urging all parties to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic solutions.
She said both governments had agreed to expedite the conclusion of the Fipa to provide businesses in both countries with greater certainty and confidence to invest.
Highlighting agricultural cooperation, Anand said Pakistan imported more than 470,000 tonnes of Canadian canola during the last crop year and expressed appreciation for Islamabad's collaboration in facilitating market access for Canadian producers.
She added that Canada also looked forward to increased exports of Pakistani products, including rice, textiles and sporting goods.
She said Canadian companies were also expanding cooperation with Pakistan in renewable energy and mining, citing the upcoming 240-megawatt Dhabeji hybrid wind and solar project being developed by JCM Power in partnership with Karachi Electric, as well as Barrick's investment in the Reko Diq mining project.
Announcing new initiatives, Anand said Canada would provide more than $2.2 million for three security cooperation projects focusing on border management, counter-terrorism, financial crime investigations and law enforcement training through partnerships with Interpol, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
She also announced $45 million in new development assistance to support climate resilience, girls' education, reproductive health, family planning and flood recovery efforts in Pakistan through partnerships with the Aga Khan Foundation of Canada, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Population Fund.
The Canadian foreign minister said the initiatives reflected the shared commitment of both countries to broaden cooperation in areas that would contribute to long-term prosperity, stability and sustainable development.
Delegation-level meeting
The joint statement follows a delegation-level meeting between DPM Dar and Canadian FM Anand in Islamabad, where both countries agreed to expand cooperation in priority sectors and hold annual meetings to review progress on their agreed joint statement.
In his opening remarks before delegation-level talks with the Canadian FM at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the deputy premier welcomed his Canadian counterpart, mentioning that it was the first visit by a Canadian Foreign Minister to Pakistan in two decades.
He told the visiting dignitary that Pakistan attached great importance to the long-standing relationship with Canada, which was further bolstered by a large Pakistani diaspora there.
In her remarks, FM Anand said that she had been looking forward to the work to reinvigorate the bilateral relationship. She added that this year marked approximately 80 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
She said that on a broader level, in light of the shifting international order, both sides had important work to do together.
Upon her arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister Dar welcomed the Canadian foreign minister.
The Canadian foreign minister is visiting the country at the invitation of DPM Dar. The Foreign Office said this is the first visit by Minister Anand to Pakistan following her assumption of office.
Canadian FM calls on PM Shehbaz
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and Canada enjoyed friendly ties that needed to be further expanded, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture including agri-foods and vaccine manufacturing, renewable energy, as well as the automobile and auto parts industry.
FM Anand, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, called on the prime minister at the PM House today.
The prime minister conveyed his greetings and best wishes for Prime Minister Mark Carney and said that he looked forward to meeting him soon.
He fondly recalled the telephone conversation with his Canadian counterpart in April, and thanked Canada for supporting Pakistan’s regional peace efforts.
FM Anand thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome accorded to her and her delegation in Islamabad.
She conveyed the good wishes of PM Carney for the prime minister and said that her visit was on the instructions of her prime minister to expand Canada's relations with Pakistan.
On the bilateral front, the Canadian foreign minister expressed the keen desire of her government to explore new opportunities for trade and cooperation, especially in the field of agriculture, mining, energy, as well as in the auto and auto parts industry.
In this regard, she said the Fippa would be instrumental in enhancing Canadian investors' confidence to invest in Pakistan.
Both sides agreed that the Pakistani Canadian community was acting as a vital bridge between the two nations.
The two sides also agreed to exchange delegations in the fields of trade and minerals cooperation, to explore mutually beneficial opportunities, with a view to further enhance bilateral trade and investment prospects.
After the meeting, PM Shehbaz witnessed the signing of a Protocol on Phyto-sanitary regulations governing the import of Canola from Canada to Pakistan.
The protocol was signed by DPM Dar and Canadian FM Anand from their respective sides.
