According to Global Affairs Canada, Anita 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 is set to visit Pakistan tomorrow (Monday) on her maiden visit to the country since assuming office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced on Sunday.
“Anita is making her first official visit to Pakistan since assuming office at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary Ishaq Dar,” MoFA said in a post on X.
The ministry said the visiting dignitary would hold bilateral talks “covering the entire spectrum of Pakistan-Canada relations.”
“The drafts 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,” it added.
MoFA further said that Anita would also urge Pakistan’s leadership.
“Pakistan and Canada maintain cordial bilateral relations rooted in close people-to-people ties, enriched by the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada. This visit underscores the shared commitment of both countries to expand mutual cooperation,” the statement said.
🔈 PR No. 1️⃣7️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Curtain Raiser: Visit of Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to Pakistan (July 20, 2026)
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— 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 underscores the shared commitment of both countries to expand mutual cooperation.”
In a press release, the GAC noted that “Canada-Pakistan relations are underpinned by extensive people-to-people ties, with more than 300,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin in Canada and approximately 20,000 Canadians in Pakistan.”
It further noted that in 2025, Canada-Pakistan bilateral trade in merchandise was approximately $1.2 billion, with $499.7 million – a 65 percent increase since 2024 – in Canadian exports to Pakistan and $696 million in imports.
In June 2026, Canada hosted the second round of negotiations towards an agreement on the promotion and protection of foreign investment 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; people-to-people ties; governance and democracy; human rights; development cooperation; regional security and defence; capacity building for combating terrorism and anti-crime.
