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Home/Research & Publications/Pakistan's Bilateral Relations/Pakistan–Canada

Pakistan–Canada Relations

Relations since 1947 and fellow Commonwealth members; Foreign Minister Anita Anand's July 2026 visit to Islamabad advanced trade, a canola protocol and investment talks, with merchandise trade above C$1.2 billion in 2025. Compiled by the IPDS Centre for American Studies from official sources. Last revised 7 November 2026.

1947
Diplomatic relations established
C$1.2bn+
Merchandise trade, 2025
300,000+
Canadians of Pakistani origin
8th
Pakistan's rank as a source of Canadian permanent residents, 2025
Latest development →ChronologyAll countries A–Z
Latest development

Where Pakistan–Canada Relations Stand Now

Jul 2026

Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand concluded an official visit to Islamabad to deepen the relationship and strengthen trade and investment. She and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar issued a joint statement, and the ministers signed a protocol establishing phytosanitary import conditions for Canadian canola. (Global Affairs Canada, Radio Pakistan, citing the joint statement)

Canada and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1947, shortly after Pakistan's independence, and work together in the United Nations and the Commonwealth. Canada's interests in the relationship span trade and investment, climate resilience, energy and critical minerals, people-to-people ties, development cooperation, regional security and counter-terrorism. More than 300,000 Canadian citizens and permanent residents are of Pakistani origin, and in 2025 Pakistan was Canada's eighth-largest source of permanent residents.

Overview

The Relationship by Theme

Diplomatic Engagement

Jul 2026: Foreign Minister Anita Anand's official visit to Islamabad; joint statement with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on continued cooperation on global challenges, peace and prosperity. (Global Affairs Canada, Radio Pakistan, citing the joint statement)

Missions: Canada has a High Commission in Islamabad and a Consulate in Lahore; Pakistan has a High Commission in Ottawa and Consulates General in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. (Global Affairs Canada)

Trade & Investment

2025: Bilateral merchandise trade passed C$1.2 billion: Canadian exports to Pakistan of C$499.7 million (up 65% on 2024) and imports from Pakistan of C$696.0 million. (Global Affairs Canada)

Ongoing: The two countries are negotiating a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA). (Global Affairs Canada)

Jul 2026: A new protocol set predictable phytosanitary import conditions for Canadian canola. (Radio Pakistan, citing the joint statement)

Development Cooperation

2024/25: Canada's overall international assistance to Pakistan was C$110.5 million, of which C$76 million was disbursed through Global Affairs Canada, with a focus on women's economic empowerment, health, education, and climate and flood recovery. (Global Affairs Canada)

People-to-People

Diaspora: More than 300,000 Canadian citizens and permanent residents are of Pakistani origin; Pakistan's High Commission puts the wider community at around 500,000, with two Senators and six Members of the House of Commons of Pakistani origin. (Global Affairs Canada, High Commission of Pakistan, Ottawa)

Institutional framework

Dialogue Mechanisms

MechanismStatus
Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection AgreementUnder negotiation. (Global Affairs Canada)
Legal base

Agreements & Frameworks

YearAgreement
Jul 2026Protocol on phytosanitary import conditions for Canadian canola. (Radio Pakistan, citing the joint statement)
Timeline

Chronology

1947 to present · Commonwealth partners

Relations date from Pakistan's independence and rest on development cooperation, trade and a large diaspora.

1947

Canada and Pakistan established diplomatic relations. (Global Affairs Canada)

2025

Pakistan was Canada's eighth-largest source of permanent residents; trade passed C$1.2 billion. (Global Affairs Canada)

Jul 2026

Foreign Minister Anita Anand's official visit to Islamabad. (Global Affairs Canada, Radio Pakistan, citing the joint statement)

Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Canada and Pakistan establish diplomatic relations?

In 1947, shortly after Pakistan's independence, according to Global Affairs Canada.

How large is Canada-Pakistan trade?

Bilateral merchandise trade passed C$1.2 billion in 2025, with Canadian exports of C$499.7 million and imports from Pakistan of C$696.0 million.

How many people of Pakistani origin live in Canada?

More than 300,000 Canadian citizens and permanent residents, according to Global Affairs Canada.

Sources & method

Sources & Methodology

Official records come first: Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its embassy pages, the partner government's own publications, and state news services. News reporting is cited only where no official text is published. Every entry links to its source. No Wikipedia.

How to cite: IPDS Centre for American Studies, “Pakistan–Canada Relations,” Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies, last revised 7 November 2026, https://ipd.org.pk/research-publications/pakistan-canada-relations-tracker/

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