Vancouver, 1 June 2022 (TDI): The Pakistani High Commissioner to Canada, Ambassador Zaheer Aslam Janjua, inaugurated the new building of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Vancouver.
The High Commissioner iterated Pakistan’s focus on economic diplomacy and trade to enhance ties between Pakistan and Western Canada. He also launched the website of the consulate-general along with the Pakistan-Western Canada Trade Association.
Moreover, the Pakistani High Commissioner held meetings with community leaders and representatives of several associations.
These associations included the Pakistan-Canada Association, Pakistani Canadian Cultural Association, Pakistani Canadian Women Society, Pakistan Canadian Community Association, Friends of Pakistan Canada Association, and Pakistan-Western Canada Trade Association.
He highlighted the role played by the Consulate-General in serving the Pakistani diaspora across Western Canada. The Consulate-General serves Alberta, British Columbia, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Northwestern Territories, and Yukon Territory.
Furthermore, the High Commissioner held an interaction with the local media to highlight the potential of Pakistan-Canada bilateral trade. He also talked about the important contributions of the Pakistani diaspora based in Western Canada towards better bilateral ties.
Pakistani Diaspora in Canada
The Pakistani diaspora in Canada comprises businessmen, workers, students, immigrants, and professionals that have chosen to work, study, or settle in Canada.
Western Canada is composed of four Canadian provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Pakistani diaspora in these areas is served by the Consulate-General in Vancouver, which is the largest city in Western Canada in British Columbia.
Pakistani Canadians numbered up to 202,260 according to the 2016 Canadian census. They form an active and vibrant community and integrate well into Canadian society.
Pakistan-Canada Relations
Pakistan and Canada established official diplomatic relations in 1947, soon after the former’s independence from the British empire.
Pakistan has a High Commission in Ottawa and maintains consulates in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. While Canada maintains a High Commission in Islamabad, and consulates in Karachi and Lahore.
Both countries enjoy extensive economic, cultural, educational, people-to-people, and development cooperation links.
