Ottawa, 10 June 2022 (TDI): The Pakistani High Commissioner to Canada, Ambassador Zaheer Janjua presented his credentials to the Governor-General of Canada Mary J. Simon.
The ceremony took place at Ottawa’s historical Rideau Hall. Moreover, the Ambassador reiterated his priorities, which include strengthening the Pakistan-Canada bilateral ties and serving the Pakistani diaspora in Canada.
Honored to present credentials to HE Mary J. Simon, Gov Gen & C-in-C of 🇨🇦 as 🇵🇰’s HC, at Ottawa’s historical Rideau Hall. My priorities include further strengthening 🇵🇰🇨🇦 bilateral ties & serving the vibrant 🇵🇰 diaspora in 🇨🇦 @ForeignOfficePk @PkPublicDiplo @StewartRWheeler pic.twitter.com/8m3Vxf4FYP
— Amb. Zaheer Janjua (@zjanjua) June 8, 2022
Previously, the High Commissioner inaugurated the new building of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Vancouver.
During that event, he expressed that he would focus on developing the economic and trade potential between Pakistan and Canada. He also held meetings with community leaders and representatives of several associations.
Ambassador Zaheer Janjua assumed his responsibilities as the Pakistani High Commissioner to Canada in May 2022. Previously, he had served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the EU.
Furthermore, he served as the Additional Foreign Secretary (Europe) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan. In addition, he was also the ambassador of Pakistan to Russia and Belarus.
The Pakistani diaspora in Canada comprises businessmen, workers, students, immigrants, and professionals that have chosen to work, study, or settle in Canada.
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.
In terms of trade, Pakistan was Canada’s 36th-largest goods export destination in 2020. Canada-Pakistan bilateral trade reached $1.11 billion in 2020. Of this, Canadian exports to Pakistan totaled $669 million while Pakistani exports to Canada amounted to $438 million.
