Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s strong commitment to further strengthening its longstanding friendship with Canada through enhanced parliamentary diplomacy, expanded trade, and closer people-to-people contacts.
\nAddressing a reception hosted in honour of Canada\u2019s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Anita Anand, the Chairman Senate extended heartfelt greetings on behalf of the Senate, the Parliament, and the people of Pakistan.
\nHe said that Pakistan and Canada have enjoyed nearly eight decades of cordial relations built on mutual respect, shared interests, constructive political dialogue, expanding economic cooperation, educational exchanges, and the invaluable contribution of the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada.
\nGilani described bilateral trade as the cornerstone of Pakistan\u2013Canada relations, noting that Canada remains one of Pakistan\u2019s trusted economic partners.
\nHe highlighted Canada\u2019s important role as a supplier of agricultural commodities, including canola, soybeans, and chickpeas, which contribute significantly to Pakistan\u2019s food security, agricultural sector, and industrial growth.
\nReferring to the growing economic partnership between the two countries, he appreciated the positive outcomes of Minister Anita Anand\u2019s engagement with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Ottawa, which helped further strengthen bilateral trade relations.
\nHe particularly welcomed the successful arrival of the first shipment of Canadian canola at Karachi Port on 12 January 2026, describing it as a tangible symbol of expanding economic cooperation.
\nEmphasizing the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in the contemporary global landscape, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said that legislatures have an increasingly vital role in promoting dialogue, mutual understanding, peace, and sustainable development.
\nAs the Founding Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers\u2019 Conference (ISC), he invited Canada to actively participate in the initiative, expressing confidence that stronger parliamentary engagement would further deepen bilateral
\nrelations and contribute to addressing common global challenges.
\nThe Chairman Senate also highlighted the vast untapped potential for collaboration in sectors including energy, clean technology, mining, information technology, textiles, investment, and innovation.
\nHe observed that Canada\u2019s technological expertise and Pakistan\u2019s young workforce, strategic geographical location, and expanding consumer market offer significant opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships.
\nExpressing confidence in the future of bilateral relations, Chairman Senate Gilani said that Minister Anita Anand\u2019s visit would further strengthen the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Canada while opening new avenues for cooperation across multiple sectors.
\nThe Chairman Senate quoted former Canadian Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Lester B. Pearson, saying that lasting peace can only be achieved through greater understanding among peoples.
\nHe noted that the quotation remains deeply relevant today, underscoring that enduring international partnerships are built not only through agreements but also through trust, dialogue, and meaningful human connections.
\nThe Chairman Senate reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s commitment to promoting stronger ties with Canada and expressed optimism that the bilateral relationship would continue to flourish in the years ahead.
\nLater on, Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani Met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and her delegation during a meeting held in Islamabad.
\nThe Chairman Senate extended warm greetings on behalf of the Parliament and the people of Pakistan and expressed confidence that the Minister\u2019s visit would open new avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation and parliamentary engagement.
\nCongratulating Minister Anita Anand on her distinguished career in public service, academia and law, Gilani commended her leadership in key ministerial portfolios and appreciated her commitment to advancing Pakistan\u2013Canada relations.
\nHe noted that the growing momentum of high-level exchanges reflects the shared resolve of both countries to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, energy security, education and people-to-people contacts.
\nRecalling the long-standing friendship between Pakistan and Canada, the Chairman Senate observed that Canada was among the first countries to recognize Pakistan following its independence in 1947, laying the foundation for a strong and enduring bilateral partnership.
\nHe also highlighted that the two countries celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022, marking an important milestone in their shared history.
\nGilani recalled his cordial meeting with former Canadian Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney during his tenure as Prime Minister of Pakistan, during which issues relating to immigration, employment opportunities for Pakistanis and bilateral cooperation were discussed. He noted with satisfaction that Pakistan\u2013Canada relations have continued to expand across political, economic, parliamentary and cultural spheres.
\nThe Chairman Senate welcomed the positive trajectory of bilateral engagement, recalling the meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Ottawa, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership and facilitating Canadian canola exports to Pakistan.
\nHe also appreciated the outcomes of the 6th Round of Pakistan\u2013Canada Bilateral Political Consultations held in Islamabad, which reaffirmed both countries\u2019 resolve to unlock the untapped potential of cooperation in trade, investment, agriculture, mining, critical minerals, energy, climate change, artificial intelligence, information technology, education and people-to-people exchanges.
\nEmphasizing the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, Chairman Gilani expressed satisfaction over the growing ties between the legislatures of Pakistan and Canada.
\nHe proposed enhanced collaboration between the Parliamentary Friendship Groups of both countries to address common global challenges, including climate change, terrorism, peace and security, and sustainable development.
\nHe appreciated the contributions of Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Chair of the Pakistan\u2013Canada Friendship Group in the Senate of Pakistan, Member of Parliament Salma Zahid, Chair of the Canada\u2013Pakistan Friendship Group, and Senator Salma Ataullahjan for their valuable efforts in promoting parliamentary engagement and strengthening bilateral relations.
\nHighlighting his role as the founding Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers\u2019 Conference (ISC), the Chairman underscored the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in promoting dialogue, peace and international cooperation.
\nHe encouraged Canada to actively engage with the ISC and share its valuable experience in democratic governance, peacebuilding and inclusive development.
\nThe Chairman Senate reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Canada within multilateral forums, including the United Nations, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Commonwealth of Nations. He appreciated Canada\u2019s support for democratic institutions in Pakistan and acknowledged the constructive role played by both countries in promoting regional and global peace.
\nDiscussing economic cooperation, Chairman Gilani noted the steady growth in bilateral trade and highlighted the vast potential for expanding partnerships in clean technology, energy, oil and gas, agriculture, information technology and infrastructure. He encouraged greater Canadian investment under Pakistan\u2019s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), particularly in mining, clean energy, agri-business, information technology and critical minerals.
\nHe also welcomed progress on negotiations for the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), describing it as an important step towards creating a predictable and investor-friendly environment.
\nThe Chairman Senate appreciated Canada\u2019s longstanding support for Pakistan\u2019s healthcare, education and social development sectors, particularly its partnership in maternal and child health initiatives and polio eradication efforts.
\nHe emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration in public health, medical research, agricultural innovation, climate-smart farming, higher education, scientific research and academic exchanges.
\nRecognizing the significant contribution of the Pakistani diaspora in Canada, the Chairman underscored the importance of strengthening people-to-people contacts through educational partnerships, scholarships, cultural exchanges, tourism promotion and collaboration between universities, research institutions and think tanks of both countries.
\nDuring the meeting, Chairman Senate reiterated Pakistan\u2019s principled position on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir dispute, emphasizing that it remains an internationally recognized issue requiring a peaceful resolution in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
\nReferring to regional developments, Gilani welcomed diplomatic efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s commitment to dialogue, confidence-building measures and the implementation of agreements that contribute to lasting regional peace.
\nHe stressed that diplomacy remains the only viable path towards sustainable stability and mutual understanding.
\nThe Chairman Senate reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s unwavering commitment to further strengthening its longstanding friendship with Canada through enhanced parliamentary cooperation, expanded economic engagement, greater trade and investment, and stronger people-to-people contacts.
\nHe expressed confidence that Minister Anita Anand\u2019s visit would mark a new chapter in Pakistan\u2013Canada relations and contribute to shared peace, prosperity and sustainable development for the benefit of both nations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s strong commitment to further strengthening its longstanding friendship with Canada through enhanced parliamentary diplomacy, expanded trade, and closer people-to-people contacts. Addressing a reception hosted in honour of Canada\u2019s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Anita Anand, the Chairman Senate extended heartfelt greetings on behalf of the Senate, the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":531863,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-557515","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-national"],"yoast_head":"\n