Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand arrived in Islamabad on Monday for an official visit to Pakistan, marking her first trip to the country after assuming office.
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The visit was made at the invitation of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who received the Canadian foreign minister upon her arrival at the Foreign Office in Islamabad.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the two ministers will hold comprehensive bilateral discussions covering various aspects of Pakistan-Canada relations. The talks are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in key areas, including trade and investment, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
The two sides will also discuss regional and international developments of mutual interest, while Foreign Minister Anand is scheduled to meet Pakistan’s leadership during her visit.
Pakistan and Canada share longstanding relations supported by strong people-to-people connections, particularly through the Pakistani diaspora in Canada. The Canadian government said the visit represents an important milestone in bilateral ties and is the first visit by a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly two decades.
Ottawa highlighted the importance of the Pakistani community in strengthening relations between the two countries, noting that more than 300,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin live in Canada, while around 20,000 Canadians reside in Pakistan.
The Canadian government said bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries reached approximately $1.2 billion in 2025. Canadian exports to Pakistan stood at nearly $499.7 million, showing a significant increase from the previous year, while Pakistan’s exports to Canada were valued at around $696 million.
During the visit, both sides are also expected to review progress on economic cooperation, including discussions related to the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). Canada hosted the second round of negotiations for the agreement with Pakistan in June 2026.
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The visit comes as both countries seek to strengthen economic links, enhance diplomatic engagement, and explore new opportunities for cooperation in trade, education, and investment.