Pakistan and Canada have agreed to broaden bilateral cooperation across trade, investment and key economic sectors, as the two countries seek to strengthen commercial ties and open new avenues for private-sector investment.

The understanding was reached during Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand's visit to Pakistan, the first by a Canadian foreign minister in two decades. During separate meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to expanding economic and strategic engagement.

The two countries agreed to advance negotiations on a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA), aimed at improving investor confidence and facilitating greater Canadian investment in Pakistan. They also agreed to exchange trade and minerals delegations and explore cooperation in agriculture, mining, renewable energy, vaccine manufacturing, automobiles and auto parts.

Pakistan and Canada also signed a new protocol establishing phytosanitary requirements for Canadian canola imports. Canadian officials noted that Pakistan imported more than 470,000 tonnes of Canadian canola over the past year, while both sides expressed interest in expanding two-way agricultural trade.

Canada also announced $45 million in new development assistance for Pakistan, targeting climate resilience, education, health services and recovery in flood-affected communities. Separately, Ottawa committed more than $2.2 million for three security initiatives focused on border management, counter-terrorism, financial crime and specialised training for Pakistani law-enforcement agencies.

The two sides also agreed to encourage greater business-to-business cooperation in clean energy, mining and critical minerals, infrastructure, agriculture and emerging technologies, while reviving the Pakistan-Canada Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment to support stronger economic engagement.