Canada assistance for Pakistan worth more than C$47 million has been announced during Foreign Minister Anita Anand’s visit to Islamabad, as the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in development, security, trade and investment.
The package includes C$45 million in development assistance and more than C$2.2 million for three security cooperation projects.
Anand announced the funding during the first visit by a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly 20 years. She held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Canada assistance for Pakistan covers development projects
The C$45 million development package will support climate resilience, girls’ education, reproductive healthcare, family planning and flood recovery efforts.
The projects will be implemented in partnership with the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Population Fund.
The assistance is intended to support communities affected by poverty, natural disasters and limited access to education and healthcare.
Security cooperation receives C$2.2m
Canada will provide more than C$2.2 million for three projects involving border management, counterterrorism, financial crime investigations and law enforcement training.
The initiatives will be carried out through partnerships with Interpol, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Pakistan and Canada also discussed migration management, institutional cooperation and measures against transnational organised crime.
Pakistan and Canada seek stronger trade ties
Dar invited Canadian companies to invest in education, energy, mining, critical minerals, agriculture, infrastructure and information technology.
The two governments agreed to accelerate negotiations on a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, which is intended to provide greater certainty to businesses investing in either country.
Anand said Canada was also interested in increasing trade with Pakistan, including imports of Pakistani rice, textiles and sporting goods.
Canola import protocol signed
Pakistan and Canada signed a protocol covering phytosanitary requirements for genetically modified Canadian canola intended for food, animal feed and processing.
Pakistan imported more than 470,000 tonnes of Canadian canola during the previous crop year, according to Anand.
The two sides also discussed cooperation in renewable energy and mining, including the planned 240-megawatt Dhabeji wind and solar project and Barrick Gold’s investment in the Reko Diq mining project.
Bilateral consultations to continue
Pakistan and Canada agreed to maintain regular consultations and increase contact between government ministries and relevant institutions.
The discussions also covered education, labour mobility, climate change, science and technology, consular affairs, Afghanistan and regional security.
The assistance package and accompanying agreements marked a renewed effort by Islamabad and Ottawa to strengthen bilateral cooperation after a prolonged gap in high-level diplomatic engagement.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 22, 2026
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