First Pakistan-origin Muslim high commissioner of Canada Tarik Ali Khan assumes assignment in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Tarik Ali Khan is the first Muslim High Commissioner of Canada for Pakistan who has assumed the assignment in Islamabad on Friday.

The Pakistani origin diplomat of Canada presented his credential to President Asif Ali Zardari and had meeting with him. Tarik Ali did his Master in sciences from University of Toronto in 1991 in International Rural Development Planning and also did his Master from University of Guelph in 1998. Tarik Ali Khan has good knowledge of Urdu and fond of its literature.

He joined Canadian Heritage in 1999 and the Canadian International Development Agency (now part of Global Affairs Canada) in 2005. At Headquarters, his positions had included director, democratic institutions and conflict, director of the Haiti Development Program, director general for pan-African affairs, director general for West and Central Africa, director general for Central America and the Caribbean, and executive director to the deputy minister of international development.

He has held diplomatic postings abroad as counsellor, director of cooperation, in China (2008 to 2010) and in Colombia (2012 to 2016). “Excited to meet the new team, strengthen bilateral relations and improve trade!,” he said in his arrival message for his colleagues in Pakistan. He gave the message in three languages i.e. English, Urdu and Canadian. Three other newly designated envoys for Pakistan also presented their credentials to the President and they are Abdulaziz Issa, Ambassador-designate of Lebanon; Robert-Jan Siegert, Ambassador-designate of the Netherlands; and David Pine, Non-Resident High Commissioner-designate of New Zealand (based in Colombo). Upon arrival at the Presidency, the envoys were presented guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan armed forces. President Asif Ali Zardari on the occasion highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding and friendly relations with Canada, emphasising enhanced economic, trade, and investment cooperation, particularly in the IT, energy and minerals sectors. He noted the importance of people-to-people linkages and lauded the role of the vibrant Pakistani diaspora in Canada in promoting goodwill between the two nations. Parliamentary Group leader of the PPP in Senate Senator Ms. Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ms. Amana Baloch were also present. Tarik Khan has replaced Leslie Scanlan, who was the high commissioner of Canada to Pakistan since November 2022. As per new appointments, Isabelle Martin has been named Canada’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, replacing Eric Walsh. Wendy Gilmour, who served as Canada’s High Commissioner to Pakistan from 2018-2022, congratulated Tarik Khan on his appointment in a social media post. High Commissioner is a senior diplomat similar to an ambassador appointed between Commonwealth nations. Among his roles and responsibilities is the representation of Canadian interests, administration of consular services, and the conduct of diplomatic mission.

In Pakistan, the Canadian High Commission is located in Islamabad, with branch offices in two provincial capitals – Karachi and Lahore. Canada and Pakistan have had diplomatic relations since 1947, and their bilateral relationship has progressed further through joint efforts in areas of politics, education, commerce, and development. Over the years, the relationship between the two countries has been enriched by vibrant people-to-people connections, with a large Pakistani community living in Canada, contributing to Canadian society and promoting cultural understanding. Pakistan high commissioner in Ottawa, Muhammad Salim has also congratulated his counterpart in Islamabad on assuming the responsibilities.