BY: FT Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture, renewable energy, vaccine manufacturing, and the automobile sector.
The meeting, held at the Prime Minister House, was attended by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr. Syed Tauqir Shah, and other senior officials.
Welcoming the Canadian Foreign Minister, the Prime Minister said Pakistan and Canada enjoy longstanding friendly relations and stressed the need to expand cooperation in key economic sectors. He conveyed his best wishes to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, recalled their telephone conversation in April, and thanked Canada for supporting Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace.
Foreign Minister Anita Anand thanked the Prime Minister for the warm hospitality and conveyed the good wishes of Prime Minister Mark Carney. She said her visit reflected Canada’s commitment to expanding bilateral ties and exploring new opportunities in trade, agriculture, mining, energy, and the automobile industry.
She noted that the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA) would help boost Canadian investors’ confidence in Pakistan. Both sides also acknowledged the important role of the Pakistani-Canadian community in strengthening relations between the two countries.
Pakistan and Canada agreed to exchange trade and minerals delegations to explore new avenues for cooperation and enhance bilateral trade and investment.
Following the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif witnessed the signing of a Protocol on Phytosanitary Regulations governing the import of Canadian canola into Pakistan. The protocol was signed by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on behalf of their respective governments.
