PAKISTAN-CANADA RELATIONS: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

This research has explored the prospects of enhancing Pakistan-Canada bilateral relations. Given Pakistan’s recent shift towards geoeconomics, the country envisages stronger economic ties with all international partners. This study, however, argues that economic cooperation is closely tied to cultural engagement and people-to-people contacts. Hence, while Pakistan needs to develop effective policy measures to enhance economic ties with Canada, it also needs to invest in the cultural dimension to promote “brand Pakistan”. The study was divided into three parts: the first part reviewed the literature available on Pak-Canada political and economic relationship to identify areas of intervention; the second part analyzed statistical data on Pak-Canada trade alongside key informant data to explore the potential for strengthening economic and cultural ties; the last part provided policy recommendations for enhancing Pak-Canada relations. Drawing on a literature review, a statistical review, interviews, and focus-group discussions from a qualitative perspective, the research has argued that while Pakistan and Canada have maintained friendly bilateral relations over the last 75 years, there is a huge untapped potential in both the economic and cultural domains that can be exploited with effective policy measures. Keywords: Pakistan; Canada; Bilateral; Economy; Culture.