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Canada has expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Pakistan in the minerals and energy sectors, citing the progress of the Reko Diq project as a key example of the country’s investment potential.
The matter was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Tarik Ali Khan, according to an official statement.
Canada’s Investment Outlook
During the meeting, the Canadian high commissioner said the success of Barrick Gold’s Reko Diq project highlighted opportunities for deeper Pakistan-Canada collaboration in the minerals sector. He added that Canada was encouraging more Canadian companies to participate in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF).
The high commissioner described Pakistan as an important partner in a changing global environment and said Natural Resources Canada was prepared to support cooperation in Pakistan’s mineral sector. He also shared that he had personally visited the Reko Diq site, where he observed community development initiatives, including schools, healthcare facilities, and water purification projects.
Project Commitments
The petroleum minister said Reko Diq had secured international financing, calling it one of Pakistan’s largest recent funding achievements. He added that the government remained committed to maintaining labor safety standards and ensuring compliance with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, noting that mineral projects were being developed with a long-term national perspective.
The Canadian high commissioner also invited Pakistan to participate in the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Convention 2026, scheduled to be held in March in Canada, describing it as an opportunity for Pakistan to present its mineral potential to international investors.
He further said Canada was exploring ways to provide technical assistance in Pakistan’s energy sector. The petroleum minister welcomed the offer, stating that technical expertise and knowledge-sharing would help strengthen systems and enhance investor confidence.
Both sides agreed to continue engagement to further strengthen cooperation in the minerals and energy sectors as part of broader Pakistan-Canada relations.
