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WNAM REPORT: Pakistan and Canada on Monday agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, security and development, with both countries reaffirming their commitment to institutionalize 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 Mohammad 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/FM 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 (FIPA), Ishaq 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 agenda. He also called on Canada’s support for the restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty, urging adherence to international law and treaty obligations.
Speaking on the occasion, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita 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 Pakistan’s efforts in promoting dialogue aimed at easing regional tensions in the Middle East and said Canada 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 Pakistan’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, Anita 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.
