Islamabad (TDI): The newly appointed Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Tarik Ali Khan, said that the Canada-Pakistan relationship is entering a new phase; in an opinion piece that came out Saturday.
Khan began with a reflection on the momentous era both nations share; “We live through history” in a world of artificial intelligence, climate challenges, and shifting alliances.
Against such a backdrop, the High Commissioner noted that Canada sees opportunity in forging an even-stronger partnership with Pakistan, grounded in trade and people-to-people connections.
📰 H.E. @tarikdev reflects on the evolving Canada-Pakistan relationship and the need to strengthen trade and investment, and our people-to-people ties.
Read the op-ed:https://t.co/5SLJzINtKs
🇨🇦🇵🇰 https://t.co/2Djl1dXMlP— Canada in Pakistan (@CanHCPakistan) October 25, 2025
“As a Canadian of South Asian origin, I have grown up seeing this untapped potential. And as Canada’s new High Commissioner to Pakistan, I think we can build something remarkable.”
He highlighted that Canada’s engagement with Pakistan has long been anchored in development cooperation; citing major milestones such as Canada’s support in establishing Karachi Nuclear Power Plant in the 1970s, educational collaboration that included teacher training, debt-to-education conversions, and early donor roles in organizations like the Aga Khan Rural Support Program.
The High Commissioner also detailed that Canada provided around US $58 million in emergency aid during Pakistan’s 2022 floods and has contributed some US $80 million toward polio eradication efforts since 2016. These interventions, Khan noted, demonstrate Canada’s longer-term interest in Pakistan’s stability, health, and climate resilience.
Read More: Canada Appoints New High Commissioner to Pakistan
He also placed strong emphasis on the Pakistani diaspora; more than 300,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin spread across Canada, with representation in business, academia, and government. He noted that over 4,000 Pakistani students are enrolled annually in Canadian universities, many of whom eventually return to Pakistan.
On the commercial front, Khan made clear that Pakistan is no longer just a development partner but an emerging market full of potential. With a population of roughly 250 million, Pakistan offers a vibrant consumer base for Canadian business. He pointed out that bilateral trade has already reached the US $1 billion mark.
The High Commissioner concluded on a note of optimism by saying that conditions are in place “to grow this special relationship.” “The economic potential is immense, and our people-to-people connections are very real.”
Established in December 2008, The Diplomatic Insight is Pakistan’s premier diplomacy and foreign affairs magazine, available in both digital and print formats.
