Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on Monday announced Ottawa will invest over $2.2 million in three new security initiatives with Islamabad, as well as launching $45 million in development assistance programs.
Addressing a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Anand said the two countries have “meaningful opportunities” to deepen cooperation as Canada seeks to diversify its global trade partnerships.
“Canada is pursuing a trade diversification strategy, and we will double non-U.S. trade over the next 10 years,” she said. “Pakistan is an important country in terms of our trade diversification strategy,” she said, noting the two states shared 80 years of diplomatic ties and had agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, and economic development.
“We are committed to expanding trade and investment through a new Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, known as a FIPA, to be completed at the earliest possible date,” she said, adding the deal would provide businesses in both countries with “greater predictability and confidence to invest and to grow.”
During her press talk, the Canadian official acknowledged Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, aimed at achieving a sustainable and peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions, including those involving Iran. She said Canada was “concerned by the escalation of tensions across the Middle East and Gulf region,” and was “troubled by attacks on civilian infrastructure, including power and water desalination facilities.” She urged all parties to “exercise restraint, prioritize the protection of civilians, and pursue dialogue.”
According to Anand, Canada would invest more than $2.2 million in three new security initiatives with Pakistan through Interpol, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. These initiatives would support cooperation on border management, counter-terrorism, financial crime, and specialized training for law enforcement agencies.
“Pakistan is an important partner for Canada in South Asia and beyond,” she emphasized. “We’ve seen this in the talks that Pakistan has hosted during various phases of the Iran war,” she said, while thanking Dar for facilitating greater access for Canadian agricultural exports. Pakistan has imported more than 470,000 tons of Canadian canola over the past year, she said, adding Ottawa hoped to see more Pakistani products “on Canadian shelves, from rice and textiles to sporting goods.”
The Canadian foreign minister also highlighted opportunities in clean energy and mining, pointing to the upcoming 240MW Dabeji hybrid wind and solar project in development by Canadian company JCM Power with Karachi Electric, as well as Barrick Gold’s investment in the Reko Diq mining project.
She said a new $45 million Canadian development assistance program for Pakistan would help communities adapt to climate change, strengthen disaster resilience, expand access to education “particularly for girls,” improve reproductive health services, and support recovery from devastating floods. “From development cooperation to security collaboration to expanded trade and investment, Canada and Pakistan have meaningful opportunities to strengthen our relationship for the benefit of both of our peoples,” she added.
Earlier, Anand and Dar held high-level talks with an aim at strengthening bilateral ties.
This was the first visit to Pakistan by a Canadian foreign minister in almost 20 years, with both states dubbing it an “important” milestone” in their ties. In a statement, the Foreign Office said Anand is also expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.