Special Report by Mehboob Ali Shaikh
A high-level delegation from the Government of Pakistan has arrived in Ottawa, Canada, to participate in negotiations on the proposed Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA), also known as the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), between Pakistan and Canada.
The Pakistani delegation is led by Mr. Zulfiqar Ali, Additional Secretary of the Board of Investment (BoI), and includes senior officials from various departments responsible for trade, investment, and economic affairs. The visit is being viewed as an important step toward enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries and establishing a stronger framework for foreign investment.
Speaking at the opening session, Mr. Jean Christian Brillant, Director General of the South Asia Bureau at Global Affairs Canada, welcomed the Pakistani delegation and expressed optimism that the discussions would be constructive and productive, creating new opportunities for economic cooperation between the two nations.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Canada, Muhammad Saleem, reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to work together toward finalizing a high-quality investment regime that would benefit investors and businesses on both sides.
High Commissioner Muhammad Saleem also highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing economic reforms aimed at creating a more business-friendly environment. These reforms include strengthening investor protection, introducing transparent dispute prevention mechanisms, and enhancing regulatory coherence, which are key pillars of the government’s broader economic reform agenda.
He stated, “Pakistan is committed to creating a business-friendly environment that encourages foreign investment and promotes sustainable economic growth.” He emphasized that these reforms are an integral part of the government’s comprehensive economic vision.
The negotiations are expected to focus on establishing a robust legal framework for the protection and promotion of foreign investment, while also strengthening bilateral trade and economic relations. Officials from both countries will continue detailed discussions on various aspects of the proposed agreement in the coming days.
Prior to the current round of negotiations, the last formal talks on the agreement were held in Islamabad in October 2025. Both sides expressed confidence that the ongoing discussions would play a significant role in expanding economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Pakistan and Canada.
At a time when Pakistan is seeking to attract greater international investment and Canada is looking to deepen its engagement with emerging economies, the successful conclusion of the FIPPA/BIT negotiations could mark the beginning of a new chapter in the economic partnership between the two countries.
On this occasion, Mr. Altamash Janjua, Trade Counsellor at the Ministry of Commerce, along with other officials, was also present during the discussions.
