Islamabad, July 20, 2026(Kamran Raja): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding and friendly relations with Canada, emphasizing enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, renewable energy, vaccine manufacturing, and the automobile industry during a meeting with Canada’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Ms. Anita Anand, who is on an official visit to Pakistan.
The meeting, held at the Prime Minister House, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Syed Tauqir Shah, and other senior government officials.
Welcoming the Canadian Foreign Minister, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and Canada share cordial relations that should be further expanded through stronger economic and commercial engagement. He highlighted the significant potential for collaboration in agriculture, agri-foods, renewable energy, vaccine manufacturing, and the automobile and auto parts sectors.
The Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and expressed his desire to meet him in the near future. Recalling their telephone conversation in April, he thanked Canada for its support for Pakistan’s efforts to promote regional peace and stability.
Foreign Minister Anita Anand thanked the Prime Minister for the warm hospitality extended to her delegation and conveyed the greetings and best wishes of Prime Minister Mark Carney. She said her visit reflected Canada’s commitment to broadening and strengthening bilateral relations with Pakistan.
Expressing Canada’s interest in expanding economic engagement, Ms. Anand underscored the importance of exploring new opportunities in trade, agriculture, mining, energy, and the automobile and auto parts industries. She noted that the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA) would play a key role in encouraging greater Canadian investment in Pakistan by enhancing investor confidence.
Both sides acknowledged the valuable contribution of the Pakistani-Canadian community in strengthening people-to-people ties and serving as an important bridge between the two countries.
The two countries also agreed to exchange trade and minerals sector delegations to identify mutually beneficial opportunities and further expand bilateral trade and investment.
Following the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing of a Protocol on Phyto-sanitary Regulations Governing the Import of Canola from Canada to Pakistan. The protocol was signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on behalf of their respective governments.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Pakistan and Canada to deepen bilateral cooperation, promote economic growth, and build a stronger partnership based on mutual respect and shared interests.