Abida Shaheen
Islamabad: Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand this week concluded a landmark visit to Pakistan aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment cooperation, and advancing collaboration in key areas including agriculture, clean energy, security and development.
The visit marked the first trip by a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly two decades, reflecting renewed momentum in relations between the two countries.
During her visit, Minister Anand held meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to discuss shared priorities and explore avenues for deeper cooperation.
The two sides highlighted the importance of predictable market access and reliable agricultural trade to support food security and economic stability. Minister Anand welcomed progress in negotiations on a Canada-Pakistan Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), expressing hope that talks would be concluded at the earliest opportunity.
A key outcome of the visit was the signing of an agreement allowing Canada to export canola seeds to Pakistan for food, animal feed and processing purposes. The agreement was signed by Minister Anand on behalf of Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The arrangement follows a negotiated phytosanitary protocol between Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security and Research and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, providing greater clarity and predictability regarding import requirements and facilitating trade opportunities for Canadian canola producers.
Canada and Pakistan also agreed to enhance cooperation in the clean energy sector, particularly in renewable energy solutions, power generation and technologies including solar, wind and battery storage.
Minister Anand welcomed the upcoming development of the 240-megawatt Dhabeji hybrid wind-solar project by Canadian company JCM Power in partnership with Karachi Electric, describing it as an example of growing private-sector collaboration between the two countries.
The project is expected to contribute to Pakistan’s renewable energy ambitions while strengthening cooperation between Canadian investors and Pakistan’s energy sector.
The two countries agreed to continue expanding security cooperation, including efforts to counter terrorism and combat transnational organised crime.
During the visit, Canada announced more than $2.2 million in additional funding to support Pakistan’s security-related initiatives through partnerships involving INTERPOL, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, in collaboration with the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation.
The support aims to strengthen institutional capacity and enhance coordination in addressing cross-border criminal activities.
Recognising the challenges posed by climate change and poverty, Canada also announced $45 million in funding for three development assistance projects in Pakistan.
The package includes $10 million to help restore access to education for children affected by floods through a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme.
Another $15 million will support climate resilience initiatives in collaboration with Aga Khan Foundation Canada, aimed at helping communities better respond to the impacts of climate change.
A further $20 million has been allocated to expand access to reproductive health services, including family planning programmes, through cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund.
Minister Anand expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s warm welcome and hospitality, reaffirming Canada’s commitment to building a stronger and more comprehensive partnership with Pakistan.
The visit underscored both countries’ shared interest in expanding economic links, encouraging investment, strengthening people-to-people connections and working together on global challenges including climate change, food security and regional stability.
