Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on Monday expressed her government’s desire to explore new opportunities for trade and bilateral cooperation during a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Anita, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, called on PM Shehbaz at the Prime Minister’s House after holding a one-on-one meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Canadian foreign minister expressed her government’s interest in expanding trade and cooperation, particularly in agriculture, mining, energy, and the automobile and auto parts sectors.

Anita conveyed the good wishes of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to PM Shehbaz and said her visit was undertaken on the instructions of her prime minister to further strengthen Canada’s relations with Pakistan.
She said the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA) would help enhance Canadian investors’ confidence to invest in Pakistan.

The PMO said PM Shehbaz welcomed the Canadian foreign minister and noted that Pakistan and Canada enjoyed friendly ties that needed to be further expanded.

“The two countries enjoy friendly ties that need to be further expanded, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, agriculture, including agri-foods and vaccine manufacturing, renewable energy, as well as the automobile and auto parts industry,” PM Shehbaz said.

He conveyed his greetings and best wishes to PM Carney and expressed his desire to meet him soon. He also recalled his telephone conversation with his Canadian counterpart in April and thanked Canada for supporting Pakistan’s regional peace efforts, according to the statement.

The two sides agreed that the Pakistani-Canadian community serves as an important bridge between the two countries.

“They also agreed to exchange delegations in the fields of trade and minerals cooperation to explore mutually beneficial opportunities and further enhance bilateral trade and investment prospects,” the statement added.

PM Shehbaz also witnessed the signing of a protocol on phytosanitary regulations governing the import of Canadian canola into Pakistan. The agreement was signed by FM Dar and his Canadian counterpart.

Meeting with CDF Munir
The Canadian foreign minister also called on Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters.

During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Canada were discussed, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

It added that CDF Munir highlighted Pakistan’s perspective on global peace and regional stability, underscoring the importance of cooperation and collaborative efforts to address common security challenges.

“The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s ongoing efforts and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, as well as its constructive role in promoting peace and stability,” the ISPR said.

Both sides reiterated their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties and expand engagements in defence and security, it added.