Pakistan, Canada Discuss Concerns Over Canadian Investments

Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Tarik Ali Khan, has voiced serious concerns over the treatment of Canadian investments in Pakistan’s renewable energy sector during a meeting with Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan.

The discussion centered on strengthening bilateral cooperation across a wide range of areas, including trade, investment, mining, agriculture, energy and emerging sectors. Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Commerce, Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan, was also in attendance.

Both sides reviewed the changing global economic environment and emphasized the importance of flexible and forward-looking trade strategies in response to shifting supply chains and ongoing geopolitical developments.

The Federal Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to broadening its international partnerships and attracting high-quality foreign investment, particularly in value-added industries and export-driven sectors.

Collaboration in mining and minerals emerged as a key area of focus. Jam Kamal Khan highlighted Pakistan’s growing interest in developing small- and medium-scale mining projects and underscored the need for advanced exploration methods, technical surveying expertise and strong governance frameworks. In response, the Canadian High Commissioner pointed to Canada’s global standing in mining services and exploration technologies, expressing readiness to support Pakistan through capacity-building efforts, technical cooperation and business-to-business linkages.

In this regard, both sides discussed Pakistan’s participation in the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto, with an emphasis on connecting Pakistani mining stakeholders with reputable Canadian exploration firms and service providers.

Agricultural cooperation was also reviewed, particularly following the resumption of Canadian canola exports to Pakistan. The two sides welcomed the successful arrival of initial shipments and agreed to work jointly to resolve regulatory and procedural hurdles to ensure timely and efficient imports. The Federal Minister noted the strategic importance of canola for Pakistan’s edible oil and livestock feed industries and expressed interest in expanding collaboration in agriculture, agribusiness and food security.

The talks further explored potential cooperation in the dairy and livestock sectors, including animal genetics, modern dairy farming practices and disease-control systems aimed at improving productivity and quality standards.

On the energy front, the Canadian High Commissioner raised concerns regarding Canadian investments in renewable energy projects in Pakistan, stressing the need for regulatory certainty and timely approvals to maintain investor confidence. Progress on the Pakistan–Canada Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) was also reviewed, with both sides agreeing on the importance of sustaining momentum in negotiations to facilitate increased Canadian investment.

The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to strengthen institutional ties, deepen private-sector engagement and advance practical initiatives to further enhance Pakistan–Canada trade and economic relations in the months ahead.