According to Global Affairs Canada, Anita is expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand speaks during an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore June 11, 2022. REUTERS
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand will travel to Pakistan tomorrow (Monday) for her first visit to the country since taking office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced on Sunday.
“Anita is undertaking her first official visit to Pakistan since assuming office at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar,” the Foreign Ministry said in a message on X.
The ministry said the visiting dignitary would hold bilateral talks “covering the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Canada relations.”
“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 statement added.
The Foreign Office further said that Anita would also appeal to Pakistani leaders.
“Pakistan and Canada enjoy cordial bilateral relations anchored in close people-to-people ties, enriched by the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada. This visit underlines the shared commitment of the two countries to expand their mutual cooperation,” the statement said.
🔈RP N°1️⃣7️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Curtain raiser: Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, HE Anita Anand, to Pakistan (July 20, 2026)
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/DOctLzNUEp
– Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 19, 2026
According to Global Affairs Canada (GAC), “Anita is also expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The visit highlights the two countries’ shared commitment to expanding mutual cooperation. »
In a press release, GAC noted that “Canada-Pakistan relations are underpinned by close people-to-people ties, with more than 300,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin in Canada and approximately 20,000 Canadians in Pakistan.”
He further noted that in 2025, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Pakistan totaled approximately $1.2 billion, including $499.7 million – up 65% since 2024 – in Canadian exports to Pakistan and $696 million in imports.
In June 2026, Canada hosted the second round of negotiations for a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement with Pakistan.
Canada pursues a wide range of interests in its bilateral relations with Pakistan, including trade and investment; climate resilience; energy security and critical minerals; connections between people; governance and democracy; human rights; development cooperation; regional security and defense; strengthening capacities to fight terrorism and crime.
