Pakistan, Canada Agree to Expand Trade, Investment and Strategic Cooperation as PM Shehbaz Meets Canadian Foreign Minister
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Canada have agreed to deepen their long-standing bilateral relationship by expanding cooperation across key economic sectors, including trade, investment, agriculture, renewable energy, mining, vaccine manufacturing, and the automobile industry, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held high-level talks with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand during her official visit to Islamabad on Monday.
Welcoming the Canadian foreign minister at the Prime Minister’s House, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that Pakistan values its friendly relations with Canada and believes there is significant untapped potential to further strengthen economic and commercial ties between the two countries. He said both governments should work closely to unlock new opportunities that benefit businesses, investors, and people on both sides.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Syed Tauqir Shah, and other senior government officials.
During the discussions, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed his warm greetings and best wishes to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and expressed his desire to meet him in the near future. He also recalled his telephone conversation with the Canadian premier in April and appreciated Canada’s support for Pakistan’s efforts aimed at promoting regional peace and stability.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the warm hospitality extended to her and her delegation during their visit to Islamabad. She conveyed the good wishes of Prime Minister Mark Carney and said her visit reflected Canada’s commitment to broadening its engagement with Pakistan and exploring new avenues of mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Canadian foreign minister highlighted her government’s interest in strengthening economic partnerships with Pakistan, particularly in agriculture, mining, energy, automotive manufacturing, and the auto parts sector. She noted that both countries have considerable potential to increase bilateral trade and investment through stronger institutional collaboration and private-sector engagement.
Anita Anand also emphasized the importance of the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA), saying the agreement would play a key role in boosting investor confidence and encouraging greater Canadian investment in Pakistan. She said a predictable and secure investment environment would help businesses from both countries pursue long-term commercial partnerships.
Both sides acknowledged the significant contribution of the Pakistani-Canadian community, describing it as a vital bridge that continues to strengthen cultural, economic, and people-to-people ties between the two nations.
To further enhance bilateral cooperation, Pakistan and Canada agreed to exchange trade and mineral sector delegations to identify new investment opportunities and promote joint ventures. The two governments also reaffirmed their commitment to increasing bilateral trade and expanding collaboration in priority sectors with shared economic interests.
A major outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Protocol on Phytosanitary Regulations governing the import of Canadian canola into Pakistan. The agreement is expected to facilitate agricultural trade while ensuring compliance with international plant health standards.
The protocol was formally signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on behalf of Pakistan and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on behalf of Canada in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The latest high-level engagement reflects the growing momentum in Pakistan-Canada relations, with both countries seeking to build stronger economic partnerships, encourage foreign investment, and expand cooperation across multiple strategic sectors in the years ahead.
