Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on Monday praised Pakistan’s efforts to promote dialogue aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East, while expressing Canada’s deep concern over the worsening regional security situation. She condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure and threats to maritime security, calling on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and pursue diplomacy to prevent further escalation.
She expressed this while addressing a joint press conference along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan and Canada share longstanding historical ties, adding that the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada serves as a key pillar of bilateral relations.
Dar said the talks identified new opportunities for cooperation across a range of sectors, with economic collaboration remaining a shared priority. He noted that both countries are placing special emphasis on strengthening business ties, while Pakistan welcomes Canadian cooperation in education, information technology, and agriculture.
He announced that a new protocol on agricultural cooperation will be signed soon at the Prime Minister’s House. Dar added that both sides also agreed to further expand cooperation in capacity building. He said the agreement would benefit both countries by providing a stronger and more conducive framework for Canadian businesses seeking to invest and operate in Pakistan.
While addressing, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said that 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 also underscored expanding Canadian investment in Pakistan, particularly in renewable energy and mining. Anand cited the 240-megawatt Dhabeji hybrid wind and solar project, being developed by JCM Power in partnership with Karachi Electric, as well as Barrick Gold’s investment in the Reko Diq mining project, as key examples of strengthening bilateral economic cooperation.
Announcing fresh security cooperation initiatives, Anand said Canada would provide more than $2.2 million in funding for three joint projects aimed at enhancing border management, counterterrorism efforts, financial crime investigations, and law enforcement training. The initiatives will be implemented in collaboration with Interpol, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
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