Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand will begin an official visit to Pakistan on Monday at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) announced on Sunday.
According to the Foreign Office, this will be Anand’s first trip to Pakistan since taking office. During her stay, she will hold bilateral talks with Dar to review the full range of relations between the two countries.
🔈 PR No. 1️⃣7️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Curtain Raiser: Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada H.E. Anita Anand to Pakistan (20 July 2026)
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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 19, 2026
The discussions are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in key sectors, including trade, investment, education, and people-to-people connections. The two foreign ministers will also exchange views on regional and international issues of shared interest.
In addition to her meeting with Dar, Anand is scheduled to meet Pakistan’s top leadership during the visit.
The FO noted that Pakistan and Canada enjoy friendly ties, supported by strong community links and a large Pakistani diaspora living in Canada.
The Canadian government also confirmed the visit, describing it as an important step toward strengthening Canada’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific and deepening bilateral relations with Pakistan.
In a statement, Ottawa said Anand’s trip represents the first visit by a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly two decades, calling it a significant milestone in the relationship between the two countries.
Canada highlighted the close people-to-people ties that underpin the partnership, noting that more than 300,000 Canadians are of Pakistani origin, while around 20,000 Canadian citizens reside in Pakistan.
The statement added that bilateral merchandise trade reached approximately $1.2 billion in 2025. Canadian exports to Pakistan totaled $499.7 million, marking a 65% increase compared with 2024, while imports from Pakistan stood at $696 million.
Canada further noted that the second round of negotiations on a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) with Pakistan was held in June 2026, reflecting both countries’ commitment to strengthening economic and investment ties.
