Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held important talks with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Islamabad on Monday. This was the first visit by a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly 20 years. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen their long friendship and work together on many issues.
During the meeting, Anita Anand announced big support from Canada. She said Canada will give more than C$2.2 million for three new security projects. These will help with border management, counter-terrorism, fighting financial crime, and training police. Canada will also provide $45 million in development aid. This money will support climate change efforts, disaster help, girls’ education, health services, and flood recovery in Pakistan.
The ministers agreed to expand trade and investment. They are working on a new Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) to make business easier and safer. Canada wants to increase non-US trade, and sees Pakistan as an important partner. Pakistan has already imported a lot of Canadian canola, and both sides hope for more Pakistani goods like rice and textiles in Canada. They also talked about projects in clean energy and mining, such as the Dabeji wind-solar project and Reko Diq.
Anand praised Pakistan’s role in Middle East peace efforts. Both countries stressed people-to-people ties, with around 300,000 Pakistanis living in Canada. Dar called the visit a chance to move forward after a long gap and build stronger relations in trade, security, and more.