Canadian FM arrives in Pakistan to discuss regional developments, trade and investment
Shahjahan Khurram
Published Date: July 20, 2026
Published On: Arabnews
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand arrived in Islamabad today, Monday, to hold talks on strengthening bilateral trade, investment, education cooperation and regional developments, the foreign office said.
This is Anand’s first official visit to Pakistan since assuming the office of the foreign minister, Pakistan’s foreign office said. She arrived in Pakistan at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who received her at Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.
“The two leaders are holding talks on the full spectrum of Pakistan–Canada bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
“Minister Anand’s visit— her first to Pakistan since assuming office and the first bilateral visit by a Canadian Foreign Minister in nearly two decades— marks an important milestone in Pakistan–Canada relations and underscores the resolve of both sides to further strengthen bilateral engagement.”
State broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported earlier that their discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
Anand’s visit takes place as Pakistan recovers from a prolonged economic meltdown under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund program, and seeks to boost trade, foreign investment to strengthen its more than $400 billion economy.
The two countries are set to discuss regional developments as tensions in the Middle East spike, with the US and Iran exchanging attacks for over a week. Pakistan has mediated between the US and Iran since their conflict began in February this year, hosting direct peace talks between them in April and brokering an interim peace agreement that collapsed earlier this month.
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 countries enjoying close cooperation in agri-food, manufacturing, and consumer goods.
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.
Canada is home to around 500,000 Pakistani nationals, the 54th largest diaspora from Asia after China, India, Vietnam and the Philippines, as per Pakistan’s foreign office.