Pakistan and Canada agreed Monday to deepen cooperation on security, trade, migration control and law-enforcement training as Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand met Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi at the Ministry of Interior.
Anand arrived in Pakistan on July 20 for her first official visit to the country since becoming Canada’s foreign minister. Her visit was expected to cover the full range of bilateral relations, including trade, investment, education, people-to-people exchanges and regional developments.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed measures to strengthen Pakistan-Canada relations and expand cooperation in trade, security and other areas of mutual interest, according to an official statement issued after the talks.
The discussions also focused on joint efforts to prevent illegal migration, human trafficking and cybercrime.
Both sides considered proposals for training and exchange programmes for law-enforcement personnel, aimed at improving professional skills and strengthening institutional coordination between the two countries.
The two ministers agreed to finalise and sign a memorandum of understanding to provide a formal framework for expanding bilateral cooperation.
They also exchanged views on the latest regional situation and developments affecting security and stability.
Naqvi said Pakistan wanted to strengthen its relationship with Canada across all sectors and viewed enhanced cooperation as beneficial for both countries.
He said the Pakistani community in Canada was playing an active role in the development of both countries and served as an important bridge between their societies.
Canada is home to more than 300,000 people of Pakistani origin, while approximately 20,000 Canadians live in Pakistan, according to Global Affairs Canada. Bilateral merchandise trade reached about $1.2 billion in 2025.
Anand said Canada attached importance to its relationship with Pakistan and wanted to promote bilateral ties.
She called for the establishment of a structured framework to advance cooperation in areas of shared interest.
Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Talal Chaudhry said an agreement to increase cooperation between Pakistan and Canada would help strengthen bilateral relations. Chaudhry currently holds the portfolio of Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control.
The Canadian high commissioner, the director general of the Federal Investigation Agency, additional interior secretaries and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Pakistan and Canada have recently stepped up diplomatic and economic engagement, with officials from both countries discussing greater cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, energy and mineral development.