Dominion of Pakistan – Dominion of Canada relations

See also: British India – Dominion of Canada relations

Canadian Dominion—United Pakistan relations

CANADA	PAKISTAN   (Occupied Kashmir)

Canada established bilateral relations with the Dominion of Pakistan shortly after the latter's independence from British rule on the 1st of May in 1949. Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah attended the state reception of the Dominion Day on 1 July 1948, which was held in Karachi by the Canadian trade commissioner. During the First Kashmir War between Pakistan and India in 1947–1948, Canada strongly expressed the desire for a rapid and peaceful solution to the conflict and was also one of the first few countries to provide United Nations peacekeeping in the volatile region of Kashmir as early as 1949.

Throughout Pakistan's history and wars with neighbouring India, Canada has expressed its concern with regards to the stability of the region and repeatedly urged restraint and diplomatic discussion to resolve the Kashmir conflict. Canada is committed to the peacekeeping in the India-Pakistan region.

Pakistan and Canada have traditionally enjoyed cordial and friendly relations. Canada's first-ever UN peacekeeping contingent was deployed in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region in 1949. Bilateral relations between the two countries have strengthened steadily since their inception in 1947. Canada’s financial and technical assistances to Pakistan for construction of a nuclear power plant, dams and cement plants remain a hallmark of these relations. The two countries regularly exchange views for strengthening political, economic & trade relations, people-to-people contacts and educational collaboration. In addition, they also continue to hold regular consultations on important regional and multilateral issues. Pakistani Diaspora in Canada continues to act as bridge between the two friendly states.

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