ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s bilateral and political relations with Canada are healthy and cordial which are impacting positively on our bilateral trade relations which have seen a healthy 32 per cent growth in our exports to Canada in the first 9 months of the calendar year 2021.
This was said during an online public forum-cum-katchehry arranged by Pakistan High Commission in Canada and hosted by Consul General of Pakistan Toronto Mr. Abdul Hameed here in Canada on the last day of the year 2021. Pakistan’s Chargé d’affaires in Canada Mr. Shahbaz Malik, Consul General of Pakistan Vancouver Mr. Janbaz Khan and Consul General of Montreal Mr. Ishtiak Ahmed Akil also addressed the online forum.
Addressing the forum, Mr. Abdul Hameed prayed for a continued welfare of the Pakistani expatriates in Canada and North America in the year 2022, and assured them full cooperation and assistance in prompt provision of consular services. He also highlighted the diplomatic, political, educational and commercial engagements and exchanges between Pakistan and Canada which culminated in recent visit by Deputy Foreign Minister of Canada to Pakistan to attend the 4th round of bilateral talks between both the countries.
He said the promotion of bilateral educational linkages and educational opportunities for Pakistani students in Canada had also been given a renewed impetus in recent months, and already in the past 40 days two well-attended webinars had been arranged to discuss and explore avenues for furthering exchanges and cooperation in the field of education.
During the online forum, various issues were highlighted and addressed, including voting of overseas Pakistanis in the general election 2023, issues related to power of attorney for transfer of land in Pakistan, encashment of saving certificates by overseas Pakistanis, employees old-age benefits of former government employees residing abroad, uploading of biometrics for issuance of succession certificates, COVID-19 protocol for those travelling to Pakistan, range of profits available under National Saving prize bonds, renewal of driving licences issued in Pakistan to Pakistanis now living abroad, online facility for new passports for minors and modification of data in passports for overseas Pakistanis in western Canada and getting documents ready for travel to Pakistan in COVID-19 pandemic.