Pakistan, Canada agree to expand bilateral cooperation as FM Anand visits Islamabad
- Canadian FM visiting Pakistan at invitation of DPM Dar.
- Bilateral talks to focus on enhancing cooperation in trade: FO.
- Dar, FM Anand to discuss regional, global developments: FO.
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar met Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand in Islamabad on Monday, with both sides agreeing to expand cooperation in priority sectors and hold annual meetings to review progress on their agreed Joint Statement.
The two foreign ministers reviewed recent developments in Pakistan-Canada bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest, the Foreign Office said in a statement issued on X.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries, agreed to expand cooperation in priority sectors, and decided to institutionalise the relationship through annual meetings to track progress on the agreed joint statement.
Earlier, DPM Dar received the Canadian foreign minister upon her arrival at the Foreign Office in Islamabad.
The Canadian foreign minister is visiting the country at the invitation of DPM Ishaq Dar. The Foreign Office said this is the first visit by Minister Anand to Pakistan following her assumption of office.
During the visit, the Canadian foreign minister will also call on the leadership of Pakistan.
Pakistan and Canada maintain cordial bilateral relations anchored in close people-to-people ties enriched by the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada.
Canadian government confirmed FM Anand’s visit, saying it will deepen Canada’s strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.
In a statement, the Canadian government said that Minister Anand’s visit marks a significant milestone in Canada-Pakistan relations — the first visit of a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in almost 20 years.
The two nations’ relations are underpinned by extensive people-to-people ties, with more than 300,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin in Canada and approximately 20,000 Canadians in Pakistan, it added.
“In 2025, Canada-Pakistan bilateral merchandise trade totaled approximately $1.2 billion, with $499.7 million — up 65% since 2024 — in Canadian exports to Pakistan and $696 million in imports,” according to the statement.
In June 2026, Canada hosted the second round of negotiations towards a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with Pakistan, it said.
