ISLAMABAD: Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand is due to arrive in Islamabad on Monday to hold talks with Pakistani officials on trade and investment as well as regional and global developments, the Pakistani foreign office said on Sunday.
Pakistan has cordial political, economic and cultural relations with Canada. Islamabad also awarded Reko Diq gold-copper project, its largest in terms of foreign investment, to Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold, which is developing it in partnership with Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments.
The visit by the Canadian FM comes at a time when Pakistan is recovering from a prolonged economic meltdown under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, and seeks to boost trade, foreign investment to strengthen its more than $400 billion economy.
Foreign Minister Anand will hold bilateral talks with her Pakistani counterpart Ishaq Dar that will cover the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Canada relations during her maiden visit to Pakistan, according to the Pakistani foreign office.
“The discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, education, and people-to-people exchanges,” the foreign office said.
“The two ministers will also exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest.”
In 2025, bilateral merchandise trade between Pakistan and Canada surpassed $1.2 billion, reflecting complementary strengths in sectors such as agri-food, manufacturing, and consumer goods, according to the Canadian government figures.
Bilateral relations between the two countries are anchored in close people-to-people contacts enriched by the vibrant Pakistani diaspora, which numbers around 500,000.
FM Anand will also hold meetings with Pakistani leadership during her stay in the country.
“This visit underscores the shared commitment of both countries to expand mutual cooperation,” the Pakistani foreign office said.
