Canadian FM Anita Anand arrives in Pakistan tomorrow on first high-level trip in two decades

• Dar, Anand to hold wide-ranging talks on trade, investment, education and people-to-people ties: FO

• Visiting foreign minister expected to call on PM Shehbaz Sharif during landmark Islamabad visit

• Pakistan, Canada seek to deepen bilateral cooperation amid renewed momentum in economic engagement

 ISLAMABAD: Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on Monday on an official visit—the first by a Canadian foreign minister in two decades—as Islamabad and Ottawa seek to deepen bilateral engagement through enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, education and people-to-people exchanges, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) announced on Sunday.

The Foreign Office (FO), confirming the visit, said it would be Foreign Minister Anand's first trip to Pakistan since assuming office.

According to the FO, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar will hold bilateral talks with the visiting Canadian foreign minister, covering the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Canada relations.

🔈 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 will focus on strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, education, and people-to-people exchanges. The two ministers will also exchange views on regional and global developments of mutual interest," the Foreign Office said.

The FO added that Anand would also call on Pakistan's leadership during her visit. According to Global Affairs Canada, she is also expected to meet Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

Highlighting the strong human links between the two countries, GAC noted that Canada-Pakistan relations are underpinned by extensive people-to-people ties, with more than 300,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin living in Canada and approximately 20,000 Canadians residing in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office said Pakistan and Canada enjoy cordial bilateral relations anchored in close people-to-people contacts, further strengthened by the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada.

The FO said the visit reflects the shared commitment of both countries to broaden and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation across diverse sectors.

The two countries have witnessed renewed momentum in bilateral economic engagement in recent months. Last month, Canada hosted the second round of negotiations on a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) with Pakistan.

Earlier, in February this year, Pakistan and Canada underscored the importance of expanding cooperation in trade and investment during the sixth round of Bilateral Political Consultations held in Islamabad.

Following the conclusion of her Pakistan visit, the Canadian foreign minister will travel to the Philippines to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting.