Canada announces over $47m in assistance

• Ottawa eyes new trade, investment avenues with Pakistan as Foreign Minister Anita Anand visits• Dar invites Canadian firms to invest in priority sectors

ISLAMABAD: Cana­da’s Foreign Minister An­ita Anand on Monday expressed her country’s interest in exploring new avenues for trade and bilateral cooperation with Pakistan during her one-day official visit to Islamabad.

The two countries agre­ed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, security and development, reaffirming their commitment to institutionalise bilateral engagement. Canada also annou­nced assistance worth more than $47 million for security and development initiatives in Pakistan.

Addressing a joint press stakeout with Ms Anand at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan and Canada had agreed to maintain the momentum generated by the visit through enhan­ced institutional cooperation, regular bilateral consultations, and closer interaction between the relevant ministries and stakeholders.

Mr Dar invited Cana­dian companies to invest in Pakistan’s priority sectors, including education, energy, mining and critical minerals, agriculture, infrastructure and information technology.

The talks also covered cooperation in education, labour mobility, science and technology, climate change, consular affairs and people-to-people exch­­­­a­nges. The two sides also exchanged views on Afghanistan and counterterrorism cooperation.

On regional issues, Mr Dar said he raised the Kashmir dispute, describing it as a longstanding unresolved issue on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) agenda.

He also sought Canada’s support for the restoration of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), urging adherence to international law and treaty obligations.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms Anand said her visit was particularly significant as it marked the first by a Canadian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly 20 years, despite the two countries having maintained diplomatic relations for eight decades.

Ms Anand acknowledged Islamabad’s efforts to promote dialogue aimed at easing regional tensions in the Middle East........

© Dawn Business