July 20, 2026 – Islamabad, Pakistan – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, concluded a successful visit to Pakistan to deepen the bilateral relationship and strengthen trade and investment between Canada and Pakistan.

Minister Anand’s visit marked a significant milestone in Canada-Pakistan relations – the first Canadian foreign minister visit to Pakistan in almost 20 years. Minister Anand met with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Minister of Interior Mohsin Naqvi Munir to discuss shared priorities.

The ministers recognized the importance of predictable market access and reliable agricultural trade in support of food security. Minister Anand welcomed the progress so far in the negotiations toward a Canada-Pakistan Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, with the aim to conclude negotiations at the earliest opportunity.

Minister Anand, on behalf of Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, signed an agreement that will allow Canada to export canola seeds for food, feed and processing to Pakistan. This was made possible through a negotiated protocol on phytosanitary import requirements between Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The protocol will provide predictability on import requirements for Canadian canola and further facilitate trade for Canadian canola growers.

Minister Anand and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar agreed to encourage increased investments in Pakistan’s clean energy sector, particularly in power generation and renewable solutions for industry including solar, wind and battery storage technologies. Minister Anand was pleased that the Canadian company JCM Power will soon begin development of its 240 MW Dhabeji hybrid wind-solar project in partnership with Karachi Electric.

The ministers agreed to continue to strengthen security collaboration, including on counterterrorism and combating transnational organized crime. Minister Anand announced that Canada will expand its support for Pakistan’s efforts with more than $2.2 million in new funding for projects with INTERPOL, the UN Office of Drugs and Crime and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in partnership with the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation.

Recognizing the challenges of climate change and poverty, Minister Anand announced, on behalf of the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), $45 million in funding for three Canadian development assistance projects. This includes $10 million to help Pakistan restore access to education for flood-affected children in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, $15 million to strengthen climate resilience with the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, and $20 million to expand access to reproductive health services, including family planning with the United Nations Population Fund.

Minister Anand expressed her appreciation for Pakistan’s warm reception and generous hospitality and looked forward to continuing to build on the Canada-Pakistan bilateral and trade relationship.