Pakistan and Canada agreed to strengthen bilateral relations across trade, investment, energy, agriculture, mining and security, according to a joint statement issued by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs following a visit by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to Islamabad on July 20, 2026.

Anand visited at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, marking her first trip to Pakistan since taking office. The two ministers held a one-on-one meeting followed by detailed talks covering the broad contours of Pakistan-Canada relations.

Regional Mediation and the Islamabad MoU

Dar briefed Anand on Pakistan's mediation efforts related to an ongoing regional conflict. Anand thanked Pakistan for its role, which led to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. Both sides stressed the need for a sustainable ceasefire and continued adherence to the commitments made under the MoU, and reaffirmed their intent to keep cooperating on global peace and security challenges.

The two sides also noted the successful sixth round of Pakistan-Canada Bilateral Consultations held in February 2026 and agreed to keep using that platform to explore new areas of strategic collaboration, including stronger economic, academic and institutional linkages.

People-to-People Ties

The ministers recognized the contributions of Pakistan's diaspora in Canada, put at more than 300,000 people, along with over 9,000 Pakistani students currently studying there. They agreed to strengthen cultural exchanges, tourism and mobility between the two countries, and to encourage greater cooperation between their parliaments.

Trade and Investment

Dar and Anand described trade and investment as central to mutual prosperity, welcoming progress toward a Pakistan-Canada Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (FIPA) and committing to regular engagement aimed at concluding negotiations soon. Both sides also agreed to revive the Pakistan-Canada Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment.

The ministers discussed diversifying business-to-business opportunities in priority sectors — clean energy, mining and critical minerals, infrastructure, agriculture, emerging technologies, and environmental protection — and encouraged more business delegations between the two countries.

Energy and Mining

On energy security, the two sides agreed to encourage greater investment in renewable energy, including solar, wind and battery storage. They pointed to Canadian firm JCM Power's successful bid for the 240 MW Dhabeji Hybrid Wind-Solar Project, developed in partnership with K-Electric, which has now cleared its remaining regulatory approvals.

On critical minerals, the ministers underscored their strategic importance to global supply chains. Citing Pakistan's mineral potential and Canada's expertise in responsible mining, both sides agreed to promote trade and investment across the mining value chain, including exploration and services. Anand invited Dar to attend the 2027 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference.

Agriculture and Food Safety

The two ministers agreed on the importance of food safety and predictable market access, encouraging increased two-way agricultural trade in canola and oilseeds, lentils, soybeans, cereals, rice, spices and fruit. As part of this, they signed a new protocol setting predictable phytosanitary import conditions for Canadian canola. Pakistan's National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority and its Environment Protection Agency will also explore technical cooperation with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Security and Multilateral Cooperation

Both sides expressed satisfaction with their cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral forums, and discussed regional peace and security challenges, including the situation in Afghanistan and the ongoing threat of terrorism.

The ministers agreed to deepen security-sector collaboration on counterterrorism and transnational organized crime. Anand said Canada would continue supporting Pakistan's counterterrorism efforts through projects run via the UN, INTERPOL and other organizations.

Development and Climate

Citing the global challenges of climate change and poverty, Anand announced Canadian development assistance projects in education, climate resilience and health.

Looking Ahead

The two ministers said the Pakistan-Canada relationship has entered "a new era of opportunity," calling on broad sectors of both countries to deepen cooperation and advance shared interests. They agreed to sustain high-level exchanges and to review progress annually.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan — Islamabad, 20 July 2026 (Press Release No. 179/2026).