Ontario and Pakistan are forging deeper ties across trade, investment, education, and people-to-people connections. This collaboration leverages Ontario’s strengths and Pakistan’s potential, offering mutual benefits through economic partnerships, innovation exchanges, and enriched cultural understanding.
Key Points
- Robust Trade Growth: Bilateral trade of Canada and Pakistan has rebounded post-COVID, nearing the US$1 billion mark in 2022 and shifting to favor Pakistan’s exports[1]. Key sectors include textiles, agriculture, and resources, with balanced opportunities for both Ontario and Pakistan.
- Strategic Investments: Ontario-based firms are investing in Pakistan’s economy, from banking to automotive and mining. A landmark agreement will bring a US$10 billion investment and 8,000 jobs via a Canadian (Ontario) company in Pakistan’s mineral sector[2], while Pakistani brands thrive in Canadian markets[3].
- Innovation & Tech Exchange: Growing cooperation in information technology, clean energy, and R&D benefits both sides. Pakistan’s skilled IT professionals and Ontario’s tech and clean-tech ecosystem are increasingly connected through joint initiatives and outsourcing partnerships[4][5].
- Educational & Cultural Links: A large Pakistani diaspora (over 215,000 in Canada)[6] – much of it in Ontario – and surging student exchanges (a record ~3,400 Pakistani study permits in 2023[7]) cement strong people-to-people links. These ties translate into academic collaborations, cultural understanding, and a talent pipeline benefitting both societies.
- Policy Support & Frameworks: Policymakers are enhancing the collaboration framework – from updated preferential tariffs boosting Pakistani exports[8] to ongoing negotiations on investment treaties[8]. Provincial agreements (e.g. Ontario’s cooperation with Punjab[9]) and high-level dialogues on energy, climate, and security provide a conducive environment for sustainable partnership[10][11].
Historical Context and Evolving Ties
Ontario’s engagement with Pakistan builds on decades of Canada-Pakistan relations. Canada was among the first to establish ties with independent Pakistan in 1947[12]. Early relations centered on development aid, but over time shifted toward trade and equal partnership[13]. A notable milestone came in 2007, when Ontario signed a cooperation agreement with Punjab, Pakistan’s largest province, to “enhance, exchange and expand co-operation”[9]. This laid groundwork for sub-national ties, recognizing that Ontario – Canada’s economic engine – and Pakistan’s economic heartland share complementary strengths.
People-to-people connections have always underpinned the relationship. There are over 215,000 Canadians of Pakistani origin[6], with Ontario hosting a large share in cities like Toronto, Mississauga, and Brampton. These diaspora communities have not only enriched Canada’s multicultural fabric but also act as “living bridges” facilitating business linkages, remittances, and cultural exchange. By 2019, Pakistan had become Canada’s 5th-largest source of new permanent residents[6] – an indicator of deepening bonds. This historical foundation of goodwill and family ties has created a solid platform on which modern Ontario–Pakistan collaboration is built.
Over all thriving Economic Partnership
Trade: After a brief pandemic dip, bilateral trade is on an upswing with contemporary data showing impressive growth. In 2020, two-way trade was around C$1.11 billion[14] (~US$800 million), and it surged past US$1 billion in 2022[1]. Notably, the balance of trade has recently flipped. Historically, Pakistan ran trade deficits as it imported Canadian cereals and oils in large volumes[15]. Post-COVID, however, Pakistan’s exports have expanded while its imports from Canada declined – yielding Pakistan a surplus. In 2022, Pakistan exported US$464 million in goods to Canada against US$365 million in imports[1]. (By comparison, in 2018 imports were almost double exports, illustrating how far Pakistan’s export capacity has come.) By 2023, overall trade dipped to an estimated US$627 million with Pakistan maintaining a sizeable surplus, likely due to global commodity shifts. This healthy correction benefits both sides: Pakistan earns vital foreign exchange, and Canadian (especially Ontario) consumers enjoy diverse imports at competitive prices.
Strategic Sectors of Collaboration
Energy and Natural Resources: Energy cooperation has emerged as a cornerstone of the Ontario–Pakistan nexus. In May 2025, Canadian and Pakistani officials agreed to boost collaboration in clean energy and mineral development[10][5]. This aligns well with Ontario’s expertise in renewable energy (solar, wind, and hydro technologies) and Pakistan’s quest to diversify its energy mix and develop untapped resources. Pakistan’s government has openly invited Canadian companies to invest in its vast exploration and mining opportunities[20]. Ontario, home to mining industry leaders and clean-tech firms, is poised to contribute: for example, geological surveys and sustainable mining technology are areas where Ontario can offer know-how[5]. A flagship initiative is the Reko Diq copper-gold project in Balochistan. Toronto-based Barrick Gold is leading this venture – one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits – under a new agreement signed in 2022. The project will bring US$10 billion in investment and create 8,000 jobs in Pakistan[2], making it a game-changer for Pakistan’s economy and a marquee success for Canadian investment abroad. For Pakistan, it means development of a strategic asset with state-of-the-art practices; for Ontario and Canada, it showcases how our companies can secure critical mineral supplies while fostering development abroad. Likewise, in oil & gas and clean power, opportunities for joint ventures (like LNG technology sharing or solar project financing) can benefit from Ontario’s advanced energy sector and Pakistan’s growing market needs[5].
Technology and Innovation: The synergy between Pakistan’s emerging tech talent and Ontario’s innovation ecosystem is another bright spot. Pakistan’s IT industry has grown rapidly in the past few years, with startups and IT exports on the rise. This hasn’t gone unnoticed in Canada – especially Ontario, which houses Toronto’s financial-tech hub and Waterloo’s tech incubators. Information and communications technology (ICT) is identified as a high-potential area by both sides[4]. Canadian and Pakistani tech firms are increasingly collaborating through outsourcing, joint product development, and venture investments. Ontario companies benefit by tapping into Pakistan’s skilled software engineers and IT services at competitive costs, boosting their productivity. Conversely, Pakistani tech companies and freelancers gain access to North American markets and mentorship. Success stories include Pakistani fintech and gaming companies serving Canadian clients, and Canadian startups hiring Pakistani developers to scale up. Governments are supporting this trend by facilitating visas for tech professionals and encouraging incubator linkages. The result is a win-win exchange of innovation – Ontario gains diverse human capital and cost efficiencies, while Pakistan’s tech sector gets investment and exposure. Beyond IT, academic research collaborations are also picking up, for instance in biotechnology and agriculture technology, where Ontario’s research universities partner with Pakistani institutions to address common challenges (like crop resilience and medical innovations). These knowledge partnerships generate intellectual property and solutions beneficial to both societies.
Education and Talent Exchange: Educational collaboration is a cornerstone of the Ontario–Pakistan relationship, carrying immense long-term benefits. Canada has become a top destination for Pakistani students in recent years, and Ontario – with world-class universities like University of Toronto, McMaster, Waterloo, and Western – is at the forefront of this attraction. Post-COVID, student flows have surged. In fact, 2023 saw a record high of nearly 3,400 new study permits issued to Pakistani students[7], a figure almost quadruple that of 2019. These students predominantly enroll in STEM and business programs, contributing to Ontario’s campuses with their talent and perspectives. Many Pakistani scholars excel in fields like engineering, IT, and health sciences, often supported by scholarships and research grants. For Ontario, this influx helps sustain university enrollment and provides skilled graduates who may join the workforce. For Pakistan, it means an emerging cohort of highly-skilled professionals (including those who return with new expertise or engage in transnational entrepreneurship). Academic links are further reinforced by institutional partnerships – for example, several Ontario universities have MOUs with Pakistani universities for faculty exchanges, joint research, and twinning programs. Such cooperation helps build capacity in Pakistan’s education sector while fostering global outlooks among Canadian students and faculty.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani diaspora in Ontario plays a pivotal role in talent exchange beyond formal education. Many second-generation Canadian Pakistanis are bilingual and bicultural, uniquely positioned to drive business and research collaborations. We see professors of Pakistani origin in Ontario’s universities facilitating exchange programs, and doctors from the Pakistani-Canadian community involved in medical training initiatives back home. Community organizations also sponsor summer internships and knowledge-transfer trips to Pakistan. All these educational and cultural linkages feed into a virtuous cycle: stronger human connections yield more collaboration in other arenas, from business to science. Policymakers in Ontario recognize that attracting students and professionals from Pakistan is an investment in the province’s innovation capacity and diversity. Likewise, Pakistan’s government has launched talent exchange schemes (like scholarships) to encourage knowledge sharing with partners like Canada.
Diaspora and Cultural Bridges: The human dimension of Ontario–Pakistan ties is perhaps the most enduring. Cities in Ontario, especially the Greater Toronto Area, host vibrant Pakistani-origin communities that have established businesses, cultural centers, and media. These communities actively nurture bilateral goodwill. For instance, Pakistani-Canadian business councils and chambers (e.g. the Canada Pakistan Business Council in Toronto) organize trade forums, connecting Canadian investors with Pakistani opportunities. Cultural festivals such as Pakistan Day celebrations in Ontario draw officials, investors, academics, and the general public together, showcasing Pakistani culture and the success of immigrants. Such events not only strengthen community bonds but also highlight opportunities in Pakistan to a broader Canadian audience (and vice versa, Canadian values to Pakistani observers).
Culturally, the exchange is rich: from Ontario libraries carrying Pakistani literature, to film and art collaborations. Notably, Ontario’s multicultural policy has allowed Pakistani heritage to flourish; in turn, many Pakistani-Canadians serve as unofficial ambassadors for closer ties. Their success stories – entrepreneurs, academics, even parliamentarians of Pakistani descent – send a powerful message about the benefits of collaboration. For example, a tech company founded by Pakistani-Canadians in Waterloo might outsource development to Karachi, creating jobs in both countries. Or an Ontario investor of Pakistani origin might fund a startup in Pakistan’s emerging fintech scene. These micro-level collaborations, multiplied many times over, form the bedrock of a robust partnership. In short, the strong cultural affinity and people-to-people trust between Ontario and Pakistan greatly amplify the impact of formal economic and academic initiatives.
Conclusion
Ontario–Pakistan cooperation is a story of complementary strengths yielding mutual gains. Policymakers see clear benefits: Pakistan offers Ontario and Canada a growing market of 240 million people and strategic opportunities in sectors from energy to agriculture, while Ontario’s advanced economy and expertise can help fuel Pakistan’s development aspirations[14][5]. Investors are finding win-win deals – whether it’s a bank, an auto-parts maker, or a mining giant – that create profits and jobs in both jurisdictions[3][2]. Academics and educators are exchanging knowledge, enriching both systems through research and student mobility. The general public in both Ontario and Pakistan reaps the rewards: more jobs, innovative products, and a deeper cultural understanding fostering goodwill. Challenges will arise (economic cycles, policy shifts), but the trend is clearly toward a deeper, rational, and mutually beneficial partnership. By continuing to blend up-to-date data with forward-looking vision, Ontario and Pakistan are well positioned to transform this collaborative potential into lasting prosperity and friendship.
* Dr. Muhammad Jahanzaib is the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) of Diamanium Thinkers, a global think tank. He holds a PhD in International Relations, specializing in the intersection of politics and economics in Pakistan’s foreign and domestic policy. A double gold medalist and published scholar, he writes on economic intelligence, economic diplomacy, political economy, AI, and regional cooperation in South Asia and beyond. He can be reached at jahanzaibdgc@gmail.com.
Key References
[1] [16] [17] [19] Microsoft PowerPoint – Pakistan Canada Trade CY-2022
https://www.pbc.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/Pakistan-Canada-Trade-CY-2022.pdf
[2] Reko Diq mine: PM Imran Khan announces successful agreement for uplift
https://pid.gov.pk/site/press_detail/28884
[4] Canada-Pakistan Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement Negotiations
[5] [10] [20] Pakistan, Canada agree to boost bilateral economic ties
[6] [11] [12] [14] Canada-Pakistan relations
https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/pakistan/relations.aspx?lang=eng
[7] How Pakistani Students Will Help Reshape Global Student Mobility
[9] Punjab And Ontario Sign Co-Operation Agreement
https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/4345/punjab-and-ontario-sign-co-operation-agreement
https://tdap.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Pak-Canada-Wrap.pdf