ISLAMABAD, JUL 20 /DNA/ – Pakistan and Canada have pledged to strengthen their bilateral relationship across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, security, and people-to-people ties, following the official visit of Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to Islamabad on July 20, 2026. This was Foreign Minister Anand’s first visit to Pakistan since assuming office, and she was received by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a one-on-one meeting and detailed talks covering the broad contours of Pakistan-Canada bilateral ties and issues of mutual interest.
Noting the renewed momentum in bilateral engagement, both sides expressed shared resolve to strengthen relations through increased trade and investment and people-to-people exchanges. Deputy Prime Minister Dar also provided an update on Pakistan’s mediation efforts regarding the ongoing conflict in the region, and Foreign Minister Anand thanked Pakistan for its mediation role that culminated in the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Both sides underscored the need for a sustainable ceasefire and for upholding the commitments under the Islamabad MoU. They also reaffirmed their commitment to continue cooperation to help address global challenges and promote peace and prosperity.
The two ministers noted the successful holding of the 6th round of Bilateral Consultations in February 2026 and reaffirmed the importance of this platform for advancing shared priorities and exploring new avenues for strategic collaboration. They underscored the importance of expanding cooperation through stronger economic, academic, and institutional linkages. Recognizing the contributions of over 300,000 strong Pakistani diaspora and over 9,000 Pakistani students in Canada, the ministers reaffirmed the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties, cultural exchanges, tourism, and further improving mobility between the two countries. They also acknowledged the value of parliamentary exchanges and agreed to encourage cooperation between their respective legislatures.
Trade and investment were emphasized as key drivers for mutual prosperity and economic resilience. The ministers welcomed progress toward a Pakistan-Canada Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement and emphasized the importance of regular engagement with the aim to conclude negotiations at the earliest. Both sides also agreed to revive the Pakistan-Canada Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment. They took note of Canadian investment in Pakistan and discussed the importance of diversifying business-to-business opportunities in priority sectors including clean energy, mining and critical minerals, infrastructure, agriculture, emerging technologies, and environment protection and sustainability. They also welcomed more business delegations to unlock the full potential of the economic relationship.
Recognizing the strategic importance of energy security and diversifying energy supply, the two ministers agreed to encourage increased investments in the renewable energy sector, including solar, wind, and battery storage technologies. They noted that Canadian company JCM Power’s successful bid for the 240 MW Dhabeji Hybrid Wind-Solar Project, in partnership with K-Electric, has now received necessary regulatory approvals, and that this major investment will contribute to Pakistan’s renewable energy supply. On agriculture, the ministers agreed on the importance of food safety and food supply with predictable market access, welcomed ongoing cooperation in this regard, and encouraged increased two-way trade in agriculture including canola and oilseeds, lentils, soybeans, cereals, rice, spices, and fruit, with an increased focus on agri-food value chains, agri-tech solutions, food safety, and sanitary and phytosanitary standards and regulations. In this spirit, the ministers signed a new protocol establishing predictable phytosanitary import conditions for Canadian canola. Pakistan’s National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority and Environment Protection Agency and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will also explore opportunities for technical cooperation and capacity building.
The ministers underscored the strategic importance of critical minerals for global supply chains. Recognizing Pakistan’s significant mineral potential and Canada’s expertise in responsible mining, both sides agreed to promote bilateral trade and investment across the mining value chain, including exploration and services, and recognized the value of engagement in mining industry events. Foreign Minister Anand extended an invitation to Deputy Prime Minister Dar to attend the 2027 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada conference. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the close cooperation between Pakistan and Canada in multilateral fora including the United Nations and agreed to continue advancing their cooperation. The two ministers discussed regional peace and security challenges, including their impacts on civilians and the economy, and also exchanged views on the situation in Afghanistan and the ongoing threat of terrorism.
The ministers agreed to further strengthen security sector collaboration in the areas of counterterrorism and combating transnational organized crime. Foreign Minister Anand announced that Canada will continue to support Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts via different projects through the UN, INTERPOL, and other organizations. Recognizing the international challenges of climate change and poverty, Minister Anand also announced development assistance projects in the areas of education, climate resilience, and health. The two ministers agreed that the Pakistan-Canada relationship has entered a new era of opportunity, in which broad sectors of both countries are called upon to deepen cooperation and advance mutual interests. They looked forward to increased bilateral engagement, underscored the importance of sustained high-level exchanges, and agreed to review progress annually. The joint statement was issued in Islamabad on July 20, 2026.
