ISLAMABAD — Pakistan and Canada held the 6th round of Bilateral Political Consultations on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in Islamabad. The session focused on revitalizing economic ties and expanding cooperation across several high-growth sectors, signaling a “strategic momentum” in the relationship.
The meeting follows high-level engagement between Deputy PM Ishaq Dar and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, who have set a new trajectory for the partnership.
🔊PR No.3️⃣6️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
6th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Canada https://t.co/7kQ42INW7h
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/2ghf1LeNJL— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) February 7, 2026
Key Areas of Cooperation
Both nations identified several “key drivers” for their future partnership, moving beyond traditional diplomacy to technical and industrial collaboration:
- Trade & Investment: Emphasis on finalizing the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)—also known as the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA)—to provide a transparent framework for Canadian firms.
- Extractive Industries: Recognition of Canada’s global leadership in mining and minerals. Discussions highlighted the success of Barrick Gold at Reko Diq as a benchmark for future projects.
- Agriculture (Canola Trade): Both sides acknowledged the successful resumption of Canadian canola exports to Pakistan, a critical shift as Canada seeks new markets following anti-dumping duties from China.
- Technology & AI: Joint interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI), ICT, and skilled workforce development to bridge the technological gap.
- Climate & Energy: Collaboration on renewable energy projects and climate change mitigation strategies.
The Diplomatic Front
The consultations were led by Ambassador Nabeel Munir (UN Special Secretary) for Pakistan and Ambassador Weldon Epp (Assistant Deputy Minister, Indo-Pacific) for Canada.
| Feature | Details |
| Bilateral Trade (2025-26) | Aiming to exceed previous levels of $1.1 billion. |
| Investment Focus | Energy, Mining, Agri-tech, and ICT. |
| People-to-People | Strengthening ties with the 215,000+ strong Pakistani diaspora in Canada. |
| Multilateralism | Mutual commitment to the United Nations and the Commonwealth. |
The Canola Pivot
The focus on agriculture is particularly timely. Following Canada’s 100% tariff on Chinese EVs in 2025, China retaliated with anti-dumping duties on Canadian canola. This has positioned Pakistan—one of the world’s largest importers of edible oil—as a vital strategic partner for Canadian agricultural exporters.
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“Sustained engagement will lead to new progress in the bilateral partnership, unlocking the significant untapped potential between our two nations.” — Foreign Office Statement
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