- In meeting with Canadian and Australian FMs, Pakistan’s FM agree to boost bilateral trade, promote academic partnerships
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar on Thursday held meetings with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Australian Foreign Minister Senator Hon Penny Wong, Russian counterpart, and Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Hon. Vijitha Herath on the sidelines of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting to reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing cooperation in trade, education, and people-to-people links with ARF member states, according to state media.
Deputy PM Ishaq Dar arrived here in the Malaysian capital city on Thursday to participate in the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting to be held on Friday.
The meeting will be attended by the foreign ministers and representatives of the 27 ARF member countries, along with the Secretary-General of ASEAN.
In his first engagement, the deputy PM held a “productive meeting” with his Canadian to acknowledge the positive trajectory of bilateral relations. Both the FMs agreed to upscale and strengthen their economic and trade ties.
The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met with the Canadian FM Anita Anand @AnitaAnandMP on the sidelines of 32nd ARF Ministerial Meeting at KL today. The two sides acknowledged the positive trajectory of the Pak-Canada bilateral… pic.twitter.com/oyCFikwTPp
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 10, 2025
The bilateral relations were discussed in a meeting between DPM Dar and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
During the meeting, the deputy PM invited the Canadian foreign minister to visit Pakistan, which the latter accepted.
On the other hand, DPM Ishaq Dar on Thursday met Australian Foreign Minister Senator Hon Penny Wong on the sidelines of 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting here.
He reaffirmed strong Pakistan-Australia ties and resolved to enhance cooperation in trade, education, and people-to-people links.
Deputy PM & FM @MIshaqDar50 met FM @SenatorWong on sidelines of #ASEAN Regional Forum. Reaffirmed strong 🇵🇰🇦🇺 ties & commitment to enhance cooperation in trade, education, and people-to-people links. Pakistani diaspora and cricket are a living bridge between the countries.… pic.twitter.com/QZm5IXIVzK
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 10, 2025
In a “productive and forward-looking engagement,” he said that the Pakistani diaspora and cricket were a living bridge between the countries.
Both sides agreed to boost bilateral trade, currently at $1.186 billion, promote academic partnerships, and increase high-level political exchanges.
DPM Dar reaffirms strong Pakistan-Sri Lanka ties at ASEAN Regional Forum
Meanwhile, DPM Dar Thursday met with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Hon. Vijitha Herath on the sidelines of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting, reaffirming the enduring strength of Pakistan-Sri Lanka bilateral relations.
Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, @MIshaqDar50 held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. Vijitha Herath, on the sidelines of 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur. The two Ministers expressed… pic.twitter.com/s82J4yEzVu
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 10, 2025
During the meeting, both ministers expressed satisfaction over the robustness of ties between the two countries and pledged to further deepen cooperation in key areas. The discussions focused on high-level political exchanges, expanding economic partnerships, religious tourism, and educational collaboration, a DPM’s Office news release said.
Dar emphasized the importance of promoting people-to-people contacts and sectoral cooperation, noting that the longstanding relationship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka is rooted in shared regional interests and historical bonds.
The two ministers also held in-depth discussions on regional and global developments, including recent geopolitical shifts in South Asia and beyond. They agreed on the need to strengthen multilateral collaboration and continue supporting peace, stability, and inclusive growth across the region.
FM meets Russian counterpart on sidelines of ASEAN Forum
Deputy PM/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on Thursday met Russian FM Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur.
Deputy PM/Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 met Russian FM Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum in Kuala Lumpur. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening of bilateral relations and agreed to meet again next week during SCO… pic.twitter.com/Dbg7dSwyG1
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 10, 2025
They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations and agreed to meet again next week during the SCO Council of Ministers meeting, a DPM’s Office news release said.
Deputy Pm Dar Arrived In Kuala Lumpur
Earlier upon arrival at the airport, the deputy prime minister was received by the Ambassador of Pakistan to Malaysia, Syed Ahsan Raza and senior officials from the Malaysian foreign ministry.
The deputy prime minister, at the meeting being attended by the foreign ministers and representatives of the 27 ARF member countries, along with the Secretary-General of ASEAN, will participate in discussions on political and security issues affecting the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on promoting peace, stability, and mutual cooperation through dialogue.
DPM Dar will also meet with his Malaysian counterpart as well as other visiting counterparts and representatives. He will also engage with the Pakistani community in Kuala Lumpur.
