Pakistan and Canada began the third round of negotiations on a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) in Islamabad on October 19, 2026. The three-day round runs until October 21 and is being held at the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the government body that works to attract and facilitate investment. A BIT is an agreement between two countries that sets rules and protections for investors from each side.
Opening day in Islamabad
A special Canadian delegation arrived in Islamabad to carry on the talks, and it is led by Canada's high commissioner in Islamabad. The Pakistani side is led by the Secretary of the SIFC, and officials from relevant ministries and departments of both countries are taking part.
In his opening remarks, the SIFC Secretary welcomed the visiting team and said that concluding the BIT would be a significant milestone in Pakistan-Canada relations. He said the treaty would give investors on both sides a predictable, transparent and stable legal framework, and would strengthen foreign direct investment, meaning money that overseas companies put into businesses and projects in another country. The Canadian high commissioner thanked the government for hosting the round and said Canada wanted an "early and balanced agreement" that serves both countries and their business communities.
Both sides agreed to use the three days to cover as much ground as possible and to move toward finalising the treaty text. They also said they were ready to continue discussing follow-up items left over from the previous rounds. Both delegations said the treaty would complement the growing economic ties between Pakistan and Canada.
During a meeting with the SIFC Secretary, the Canadian delegation highlighted the interest of Canadian investors in Pakistan's renewable energy, mining, agriculture and information technology sectors.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- October 19, 2026: The third round of BIT talks begins in Islamabad.
- October 21, 2026: The three-day round is scheduled to end.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Pakistan aur Canada ke darmiyan sarmaya-kari ke muahide (BIT) par teesra daur Islamabad mein teen din ke liye shuru ho gaya hai. Is muahide se dono mulkon ke investors ko zyada saaf aur mustaqil qanooni dhancha milne ki umeed hai. Canadian companies ki dilchaspi renewable energy, mining, agriculture aur IT mein hai. Muahide ka final text abhi tay nahi hua, is liye aam logon par abhi koi seedha asar nahi hoga.
