ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday hailed the visit of Canada\u2019s FM Anita Anand as an \u201cimportant milestone\u201d in bilateral ties, stressing that economic cooperation remained a \u201ckey priority\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He made the remarks during a joint press briefing with Anand, who arrived in Islamabad earlier in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHer visit is an important milestone in Pakistan-Canada relations and reflects our shared commitment to further strengthening our bilateral ties,\u201d Dar said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPakistan and Canada enjoy long-standing and multifaceted relations underpinned by historical linkages, people-to-people contacts and a vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada,\u201d he highlighted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The deputy premier noted that economic cooperation remained a \u201ckey priority\u201d in the bilateral relationship with Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said the two sides discussed ways to further expand trade and investment ties, including greater facilitation of business-to-business (B2B) linkages and enhanced engagement in areas of mutual interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dar said Pakistan welcomed Canadian investment in \u201cpriority sectors, including education, energy, mining and critical minerals, agriculture infrastructure and information technology\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur discussions today provided an opportunity to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and exchanges on regional and global issues of mutual interest,\u201d Dar elaborated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to sustained engagement and agreed to build upon the momentum generated by Anand\u2019s visit \u201cthrough enhanced institutional cooperation, regular bilateral consultations and greater interaction between relevant ministries and stakeholders\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dar further said that he and Anand discussed the \u201cimportant role of investment facilitation in providing a facilitative framework for investors and invited Canadian companies to explore emerging technologies in Pakistan\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their discussions also covered cooperation in the areas of education, labour mobility, science and tech, climate change, and people-to-people exchanges. \u201cWe expressed our shared interests in further strengthening these areas of cooperation,\u201d the DPM said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Islamabad and Ottawa would sign a new protocol regarding import conditions for Canadian canola<\/a>, according to DPM Dar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He further said that the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (Nafsa) \u2014 established last year<\/a> to modernise Pakistan\u2019s agricultural trade infrastructure \u2014 and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency would explore opportunities for technical cooperation and capacity building in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe also discussed the importance of advancing the Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (FIPPA<\/a>),\u201d Dar said, adding that both sides welcomed continued engagement towards an \u201cearly and mutually beneficial conclusion\u201d of the agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In her remarks, Anand appreciated the \u201cwarm welcome\u201d accorded to her in Islamabad and pointed out that it has been approximately 20 years since a Canadian foreign minister visited Pakistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cToday is an important day for the continued increased bilateral relationship between our two countries,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur two countries have shared 80 years of diplomatic relations and there is continued work to do, of course, to deepen our ties in the area of economic relationships, trade and investment,\u201d the Canadian FM noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Addressing the joint briefing, Dar said he and Anand also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including the situation in Afghanistan and counterterrorism cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dar said he raised the issue of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, noting it remained \u201cone of the long-outstanding unresolved international disputes\u201d and had been on the United Nations Security Council\u2019s (UNSC) agenda since 1948.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FM Dar highlighted that India has \u201cadded a new dynamic into an already volatile security situation\u201d by announcing<\/a> in April 2025 to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe seek the support of our friendly countries, including Canada, towards India\u2019s immediate restoration of the IWT, ending the weaponisation of water<\/a> and upholding international law and treaty obligations as per international law and practices,\u201d Dar said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Concluding his remarks, Dar said Pakistan \u201cappreciates Canada\u2019s constructive engagement and looks forward to further deepening our bilateral relationship based on mutual respect, shared interest and common desire to promote peace, stability and prosperity\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pakistan and Canada also held delegation-level talks, where the two sides reviewed \u201crecent developments in Pakistan\u2013Canada bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments\u201d, the FO said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the mutually beneficial partnership, agreed to expand cooperation in priority sectors, and decided to hold annual meetings to review progress on the agreed joint statement,\u201d FO stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Addressing the talks, Dar said, \u201cWe need to meet more frequently in our capitals. We have the possibility and the capability of raising our bilateral relations, in terms of trade, defence and investment; there is a huge scope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Noting that there was a huge Pakistani diaspora in Canada, he said, \u201cPakistan attaches great importance to the long-standing relationship we have enjoyed with your country.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He hoped that Monday\u2019s discussions would translate \u201crenewed momentum\u201d into \u201cconcrete outcomes\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For her part, Anand said that she gave thanks for a warm welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is the first visit of a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in almost 20 years. This is the 80th year or so of diplomatic relations between our countries. We have more work to do together to ensure that across sectors \u2026 there is a strong bilateral relationship,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dar had welcomed the visiting dignitary to the FO in the morning. Visuals shared by state-run PTV<\/em> on the social media platform X showed Dar and Anand posing for pictures and shaking hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a statement issued on Sunday, the FO said the visit is Anand\u2019s first trip to Pakistan since assuming office. The FO said the visiting dignitary and Dar will hold bilateral talks \u201ccovering the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Canada relations\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, education, and people-to-people exchanges. The two ministers will also exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest,\u201d the FO said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It added that Anand will also call on the leadership of Pakistan. According to Global Affairs Canada, Anand is also expected to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The FO stated that both Pakistan and Canada \u201cmaintain cordial bilateral relations anchored in close people-to-people ties enriched by the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis visit underscores the shared commitment of both countries to expand mutual cooperation,\u201d it highlighted.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday hailed the visit of Canada\u2019s FM Anita Anand as an \u201cimportant milestone\u201d in bilateral ties, stressing that economic cooperation remained a \u201ckey priority\u201d. He made the remarks during a joint press briefing with Anand, who arrived in Islamabad earlier in the day. \u201cHer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":129712,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-129711","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest_news","entry"],"yoast_head":"\n<\/a>Dar raises issues of IWT, \u2018weaponisation of water\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u2018Islamabad attaches great importance to ties with Ottawa\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>FM Anand welcomed in Islamabad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n