Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand is scheduled to embark on her inaugural official visit to Pakistan on Monday, as announced by the Foreign Office on Sunday. The visit comes at the invitation of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.
This marks Minister Anand’s first trip to Pakistan since taking office. During her stay, she will engage in comprehensive bilateral discussions with DPM Dar, addressing the full range of Pakistan-Canada relations. Key topics will include enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, education, and fostering people-to-people connections.
Additionally, the two ministers will exchange perspectives on regional and global developments that are of mutual interest. Minister Anand is also expected to meet with Pakistan’s leadership during her visit.
Pakistan and Canada share warm bilateral ties, strengthened by a significant Pakistani diaspora in Canada. The Canadian government highlighted that this visit represents a major milestone, being the first by a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly two decades. The relationship is supported by strong people-to-people links, with over 300,000 Canadians of Pakistani descent residing in Canada and around 20,000 Canadians living in Pakistan.
In 2025, bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries reached approximately $1.2 billion. Canadian exports to Pakistan amounted to $499.7 million, reflecting a 65% increase since 2024, while imports from Pakistan totaled $696 million. Furthermore, in June 2026, Canada hosted the second round of negotiations on a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with Pakistan, underscoring ongoing efforts to deepen economic ties.
