ISLAMABAD: Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts to support dialogue to resolve tensions between the US and Iran in the Middle East, announcing over $47 million in development and security assistance initiatives for the South Asian country during her visit to Islamabad.
Anand arrived in Islamabad on Monday morning, becoming the first Canadian foreign minister in nearly 20 years to undertake a visit to Pakistan. The Canadian foreign minister met Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and held talks on trade, investment, regional developments and cooperation in several sectors such as energy, mines and minerals.
Her visit takes place amid regional tensions in the Middle East, with Washington saying on Monday it had launched a new wave of strikes inside Iran. Tehran also claimed to have hit US assets in Syria and Jordan.
Pakistan has mediated between the US and Iran since their conflict began in February. Islamabad hosted the first round of peace talks between the two sides in April and in June, persuaded both sides to sign an interim peace agreement known as the Islamabad MoU before fighting resumed earlier this month.
“I’d like to acknowledge Pakistan’s efforts in supporting dialogue aimed at achieving a sustainable and peaceful resolution to the regional tensions in the Middle East, including involving Iran,” Anand said during a joint press stakeout with Dar.
“Canada remains concerned by the escalation of tensions across the Middle East and Gulf region.”
Anand described Pakistan as an “important” partner for Canada in its trade diversification strategy. She announced that Canada would invest more than $2.2 million in three new security initiatives with Pakistan through Interpol and the United Nations, among other organizations.
“These initiatives will support efforts related to border management, terrorism, financial crime and providing training for law enforcement professionals,” the Canadian foreign minister said.
She also announced three new development assistance initiatives for Pakistan worth $45 million. Anand said the development initiatives would support Pakistani communities in adapting to climate change, strengthening resilience and expanding access to education, particularly for girls.
“They’ll also assist communities continuing to recover from persistent flooding that Pakistan has experienced in recent years,” she said.
Meanwhile Dar said Pakistan welcomes Canadian investment in its priority sectors such as education, energy, mining and critical minerals, agriculture, infrastructure and information technology.
“We discussed ways to further expand trade and investment ties, including through greater facilitation of business-to-business linkages and enhanced engagement in area of mutual interest,” he said.
PROTOCOL ON CANOLA IMPORTS
FM Anand later held a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, at which she expressed her government’s “keen desire” to explore new opportunities for trade and cooperation, especially in the fields of agriculture, mining, energy and auto parts manufacturing, according to Sharif’s office.
In this regard, she said, a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA) would be instrumental in enhancing Canadian investors’ confidence in Pakistan.
“After the meeting, the Prime Minister witnessed the signing of a Protocol on Phyto-sanitary regulations governing the import of Canola from Canada to Pakistan,” Sharif’s office said. “The Protocol was signed by the Deputy Prime Minister [Dar] and the
Canadian Foreign Minister from their respective sides.”
The protocol establishes requirements for Canadian genetically modified canola intended for food, feed and processing, Pakistani state media reported.
In her meeting with Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, both sides exchanged views on preventing illegal immigration, human trafficking and cybercrime as well as training and exchange programs for law enforcement officers, according to the Pakistani interior ministry.
“Both ministers agreed to sign an MoU soon to promote bilateral cooperation,” the Pakistani ministry said.
Pakistan enjoys cordial relations with Canadia, with ties between the two states dating back to 1947. Pakistan and Canada’s bilateral merchandise trade surpassed $1.2 billion in 2025, with both enjoying close cooperation in agri-food, manufacturing, and consumer goods sectors. Canada is also home to over 300,000 Pakistani nationals.
The two countries’ economic cooperation is also reflected in the Reko Diq gold-copper project, Pakistan’s largest foreign investment project, which has been awarded to Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold. The company is developing the mine in partnership with Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments.
