Pakistan and Canada have signed an important agricultural protocol governing the import of genetically modified Canadian canola, marking another step towards strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture and trade.
According to Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, the protocol was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during the visit of Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to Pakistan.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand signed the agreement, which establishes phytosanitary requirements for the import of genetically modified Canadian canola into Pakistan.
The protocol covers the import of canola intended for food consumption, animal feed and industrial processing, providing a framework to facilitate safe and regulated trade between the two countries.
The spokesperson said the agreement reflects the growing agricultural and trade partnership between Pakistan and Canada and demonstrates the commitment of both governments to expand bilateral economic cooperation.
Earlier, Dar hosted a luncheon in honour of Anita Anand. The luncheon was attended by federal ministers and senior officials from both Pakistan and Canada, offering an opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting cooperation in agriculture and trade, expressing confidence that the newly signed protocol would contribute to increased commercial engagement and mutually beneficial economic relations.