Alberta and Pakistan can turn post-COVID momentum into a durable partnership—linking energy, agri-food, tech, higher education and critical minerals – to create jobs, diversify markets and commercialize innovation while deepening people-to-people ties and supply-chain resilience in both economies.
Key points
- Real, recent trade traction: Alberta’s goods exports to Pakistan reached $16.3 million in 2024, up 85% year-over-year; scrap iron, dried legumes and wood pulp feature prominently. export.alberta.ca
- Energy access to Asia: The Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) is online, lifting capacity to ~890,000 bpd and opening Pacific routes for Alberta barrels to Asian markets—an infrastructure backdrop that also supports wider Alberta–South Asia commerce. Trans Mountain+1
- Flagship mining signal: Canada’s Barrick-led Reko Diq project advanced in 2025 with the JV approving the updated feasibility study; first production targeted by end-2028. This is a beacon for supply-chain, EPC and services opportunities that Alberta firms can tap. Barrick Mining Corporation
- Agri-food & halal opportunity: Alberta is formalizing support for halal/kosher exporters (new $25 million federal program), while GCC markets require accredited halal certification – practical on-ramps for Alberta protein exporters serving Pakistani buyers and co-processing partnerships. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada+1
- Education & talent: Pakistan sits among top source countries for the University of Alberta’s international student body – an anchor for two-way research, clinical training and commercialization pathways (e.g., the UCalgary–Aga Khan University platform). Canada West Foundation+1
- Policy tailwinds: Alberta’s Minerals Strategy and Technology & Innovation Strategy target growth in critical minerals, clean tech and digital – areas that map well to Pakistan’s demand for grid, mining and digitalization solutions. Alberta.ca+1
The strategic fit (past as prologue, future as market access)
Alberta is Canada’s resource and agri-food engine with a fast-maturing tech base; Pakistan is a 240-million-person market seeking reliable energy, food security and digital modernization. Post-pandemic, the commercial signal is clear: Alberta’s exports to Pakistan rose 85% in 2024 to $16.3 million – still modest in absolute terms, but a strong base to scale. export.alberta.ca
At the macro level, Alberta’s new Pacific egress matters: the Trans Mountain Expansion began commercial operations in May 2024, tripling throughput and enabling sustained crude flows to Asia. Even if Pakistan is not yet a direct destination for TMX barrels, the route compresses freight risk and can underpin broader Alberta–South Asia trade (chemicals, plastics, machinery, agri-food, services). Trans Mountain+1
Energy & critical minerals: pragmatic projects, efficient financing
- Upstream & OFS/EPC services. Pakistan’s power grid and industrial users demand diversified fuels; Alberta companies can offer mid-stream, drilling services, brownfield recovery, emissions-cutting tech and modular LNG interfaces. TMX improves Alberta cash flows and, indirectly, risk appetite for outbound services. Canada Energy Regulator
- Reko Diq’s ripple effects. With the JV approving the updated Reko Diq feasibility and targeting first production by end-2028, demand accelerates for engineering, environmental, mine-services, camp, safety and digital twin solutions – niches Alberta suppliers know well. Barrick Mining Corporation
- Critical minerals policy alignment. Alberta’s Minerals Strategy positions the province to produce and process lithium, potash, vanadium and more. That complements Pakistan’s ore endowment and creates a logic for Alberta processing / Pakistan ore pilots under transparent offtake. Alberta.ca
Agri-food & halal protein: dependable calories, premium standards
- Halal as a growth lane. GCC import regimes require accredited halal certifiers; Canada now runs a $25 million Kosher & Halal Investment Program (2025-27) to upgrade exporters – timely for Alberta beef and processed meats co-branding with Pakistani partners for MENA and ASEAN markets. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada+1
- Commodity-to-brand shift. Alberta’s legumes already appear in the export mix to Pakistan; joint ventures can go beyond raw pulses into fortified foods, snacks and ready-to-eat items for Pakistan’s retail and for Pakistani diaspora shelves in Alberta. export.alberta.ca
Technology, digital services & clean innovation: scale via partnerships
Alberta’s Technology & Innovation Strategy aims to create 20,000 tech jobs by 2030, signaling public-private support for AI, energy tech, agritech and healthtech. Pakistani software houses and IT talent can plug into Alberta’s scale-up scene via outsourcing, co-development, and commercialization ties, including university-linked incubators. Alberta.ca
- Health & education bridge. The long-standing UCalgary–Aga Khan University platform provides a tested channel for nursing, public health and education projects that can evolve into digital health pilots and clinical data collaborations with Alberta SMEs. University of Calgary in Alberta
- Procurement pragmatism. Alberta firms entering Pakistan should align with donor-funded tenders (energy efficiency, smart metering, hospital IT). Pakistani firms entering Alberta should leverage Alberta Innovates/Invest Alberta and diaspora mentors to refine market fit. Alberta.ca
What the numbers say (and where to go next)
Alberta–Pakistan Trade Snapshot
|
Indicator |
Latest datapoint |
Why it matters |
|
Alberta goods exports to Pakistan |
$16.3 M (2024) |
+85.3% y/y momentum to build on; scope to scale beyond metals & pulses into value-added foods and industrial inputs. export.alberta.ca |
|
Alberta’s Asia access |
TMX in service (May 2024); capacity ~890 kb/d |
Lowers Asia freight frictions for Alberta products; strengthens Alberta cash flows and risk capacity for new markets. Trans Mountain+1 |
|
Flagship mining project in Pakistan |
Reko Diq JV: feasibility approved; first production by end-2028 (target) |
Pulls in services, environmental, digital—Alberta OFS/EPC opportunities without greenfield equity exposure. Barrick Mining Corporation |
|
Talent pipeline |
Pakistan among top source countries at UAlberta (2024–25) |
Eases hiring and co-founding; strengthens research commercialization and executive education flows. Canada West Foundation |
Priority collaboration lanes (action-oriented)
|
Lane |
Alberta advantage |
Pakistan demand / entry point |
|
Clean power & grid |
Carbon capture know-how; grid analytics; turbine services |
Loss-reduction, metering, grid rehab; pilot PPAs with Canadian tech vendors |
|
Agri-food processing |
HACCP-grade plants; halal certification pathways |
Fortified foods; RTE meals; joint labels for GCC/ASEAN markets Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada |
|
Mining services |
Safety, ESG, mine planning; water treatment |
Reko Diq & satellite deposits; ESG compliance & reporting stacks Barrick Mining Corporation |
|
Digital health & edtech |
University-industry consortia; AI/analytics |
Clinical informatics, nursing training, micro-credentials (UCalgary–AKU track) University of Calgary in Alberta |
|
Pulses & value-add |
Large legume capacity; export tooling |
From bulk legumes to snacks/protein foods for urban consumers export.alberta.ca |
Policy & program scaffolding (make it easy to say “yes”)
- Minerals & energy clarity. Alberta’s Minerals Strategy and Energy & Minerals business plans emphasize responsible development and investment attraction – useful signals for Pakistani SOEs and private developers seeking reliable North American partners. Alberta.ca+1
- Innovation signals. Alberta’s Tech & Innovation Strategy plus targeted missions (e.g., to the Gulf) convey that scale-ups are welcome and export-minded – a fit for Pakistan’s burgeoning IT and fintech sectors. Alberta.ca
- Trade facilitation. Alberta’s Export Data Tool and market profiles (Pakistan included) give SMEs a starting point on tariffs, contacts and product trends -reduce search costs, accelerate B2B matching. export.alberta.ca+1
Conclusion
Alberta–Pakistan collaboration is practical, investable and timely. Alberta brings hydrocarbons discipline, halal-ready agri-food capability, and an ambitious tech agenda; Pakistan brings market scale, mineral potential and a hungry innovation ecosystem. With TMX unlocking Pacific access, a marquee mining project advancing, and universities deepening ties, the ingredients exist for bankable projects and inclusive job growth in both places. The playbook is simple: pair policy clarity with certification readiness, start with services and value-add (not just commodities), and let universities and diaspora catalyze trust. Executed well, Prairie-to-Indus links will deliver resilient supply chains and shared prosperity this decade.
* 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 (titles & URLs)
- Pakistan – Export Alberta (Market Profile) — https://export.alberta.ca/market-profiles/pakistan/
- Trans Mountain Pipeline System – A Strategic Canadian Asset — https://www.transmountain.com/news/trans-mountain-pipeline-system-a-strategic-canadian-asset
- Market Snapshot: TMX eases constraints & boosts overseas exports (CER) — https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-markets/market-snapshots/2025/market-snapshot-trans-mountain-expansion-eases-pipeline-constraints-and-increases-exports-to-overseas-markets.html
- Reko Diq JV approves feasibility; Phase-1 development (Barrick, Apr 8 2025) — https://www.barrick.com/English/news/news-details/2025/reko-diq-JV-shareholders-approve-project/default.aspx
- Alberta Minerals Strategy & Action Plan — https://www.alberta.ca/minerals-strategy-and-action-plan
- Alberta Technology & Innovation Strategy — https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-technology-and-innovation-strategy
- GCC Meat Trends & Halal Certification (AAFC) — https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/international-trade/market-intelligence/reports-and-guides/sector-trend-analysis-meat-trends-gulf-cooperation-council
- Kosher & Halal Investment Program (AAFC, 2025) — https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/programs/kosher-halal-investment
- UAlberta 2024–25 Enrolment Report (top source countries) — https://www.ualberta.ca/en/registrar/media-library/faculty-staff-resources/2024-25-undergraduate-and-graduate-enrolment-report-undergraduate-appendix.pdf