Canada has announced more than $47 million in new funding for security cooperation and development initiatives in Pakistan, as both countries agreed to strengthen bilateral relations through expanded trade, investment, agriculture, and strategic partnerships.
Islamabad, Pakistan – Web Desk: The announcement came during the official visit of Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to Islamabad, marking the first visit by a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly two decades. The visit included delegation-level talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, followed by meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Speaking after bilateral talks, Dar said Pakistan and Canada share long-standing diplomatic relations built on strong people-to-people connections and the contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Canada. He said both governments agreed to institutionalise bilateral engagement through annual meetings, regular consultations, and closer coordination between ministries.
Economic cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, with Pakistan inviting Canadian companies to invest in key sectors including renewable energy, mining, critical minerals, agriculture, infrastructure, information technology, and education.
A major outcome of the visit was the signing of a new phytosanitary protocol governing the import of Canadian canola into Pakistan. The agreement aims to provide predictable import conditions while strengthening agricultural trade and food safety cooperation between the two countries.
Both sides also agreed to accelerate negotiations on the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA/FIPPA), which is expected to enhance investor confidence and facilitate greater bilateral investment.
Canada announced more than $2.2 million for security cooperation projects focusing on border management, counter-terrorism, financial crime investigations, and law enforcement training in partnership with Interpol, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
In addition, Ottawa committed $45 million in development assistance to support climate resilience, girls’ education, reproductive health, family planning, and flood recovery initiatives through partnerships with the Aga Khan Foundation of Canada, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Anand said Pakistan plays an increasingly important role in Canada’s trade diversification strategy, noting that more than 300,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin continue to strengthen ties between the two nations.
She also highlighted expanding cooperation in renewable energy and mining, including the 240-megawatt Dhabeji hybrid wind and solar project being developed by JCM Power in partnership with Karachi Electric, as well as Canadian investment in the Reko Diq mining project.
During her meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, both sides agreed to further expand cooperation in trade, agriculture, renewable energy, vaccine manufacturing, mining, and the automobile sector. The prime minister also witnessed the signing of the canola import protocol by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
The two governments reaffirmed their commitment to holding annual bilateral meetings to review progress and deepen cooperation across economic, security, and development sectors.
