The Miracle Media is honoured to welcome Mr. Shahzad Hussain, the newly appointed Consul General. He oversees consular services and works to strengthen trade, education, and cultural ties between Pakistan and Western Canada. On August 25th, we met with him in Vancouver office to discuss his diplomatic journey, consulate priorities, and his vision for the Pakistani diaspora.
Miracle Media (MM) Naseer Pirzada:
Thank you for your time, Sir. Could you please share a brief overview of your diplomatic journey and what led to your appointment in Vancouver?
Hon. Shahzad Hussain:
Thank you so much for giving me this platform and the opportunity to speak the readers of Miracle Newspaper.
My diplomatic career spans over 20 years. Immediately, before being posted to Vancouver, I worked as Director General (Crisis Management Unit) at the Foreign Office Islamabad. I have also held diplomatic assignments as Deputy High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Deputy Head of Mission, Madrid (Spain) and Second Secretary, Kuwait. Prior to joining Foreign Office, I was a Lecturer in English for three years at the historic Islamia College Peshawar.
MM: What are your initial impressions of Western Canada and the Pakistani community here?
Hon. S. H.: I arrived on 22nd of June, the summer season was in full bloom, and Canada Day was around the corner.
The atmosphere was festive, with people preparing to celebrate Canada Day, and soon after, in August, we also celebrated Pakistan’s Independence Day with the community.
I had heard many great things about the community here, and they all proved to be true — wonderful people, most of them highly educated and from strong academic and professional backgrounds. I also had the opportunity to meet the Dean of the
Diplomatic Corps, who is from Argentina.
Coincidentally, Argentina is where I previously completed my Spanish language course, so that was a meaningful connection. Soon after, I reached out to the representatives of several friendly countries , Turkey, China, and Malaysia, and was able to meet all three within my initial days here.
That was an excellent start, as it gave me valuable insights into various local dynamics, consular matters and strengthened ties with these friendly nations.
MM: Can you share estimates of the Pakistani population in B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan, and how the Consulate supports their civic presence?
Hon. S. H.: That is a very important
question, and I appreciate you bringing it to our attention. The answer, however, is not simple, because the demographics and
census here are a bit more complex. As you mentioned, the numbers vary while the official figures indicate around 70,000;
however, the estimated numbers of the community size might well be closer to 100,000 or even beyond. We must also keep in mind that immigration is dynamic people arrive through the West Coast but later move to other parts of Canada or even to other countries. Regardless of the exact numbers, the strength of the community lies in its collective presence and representation.
MM: What are the main challenges in providing consular services across B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan, and how are digital tools or outreach programs helping reach remote communities?
Hon. S. H.: That is also a very good question. In today’s modern day and age, digital solutions have made many services much easier. Tasks that were once very difficult for example, applying for or renewing a passport from home were unthinkable 20 years ago, have now become standard practice. People can renew their passports, NADRA cards, and other documents online, which is a great improvement from a customer service perspective. However, there are certain matters that involve legal requirements which cannot be handled digitally. For those, we arrange consular camps. Like we held in Calgary in May 2025 where the team did an excellent job. Going forward, we will
arrange similar camps in our larger population centres. I also want to ensure that such visits are meaningful. If I travel that far, I would like to not only provide consular services but also engage with the local administration — ideally meeting ministers or official so that our visit has real substance. Having said, that provision of consular services remains our top priority for the community and our Consular camps would continue, not withstanding.
MM: How does the Consulate maintain engagement with the diverse Pakistani diaspora, including students, professionals, issues Visas to non- Pakistani and new immigrants, and how does the Consulate handle feedback or complaints, and what
systems are being improved to enhance service quality and responsiveness?
Hon. S. H.: Regarding community engagement, we already have an established mechanism “Pakistani Community in Western Canada – Community Townhall Meeting/Khuli Kacheri”, which is
regularly held every month. In its hybrid format, people are welcome to walk- in and directly share their questions, suggestions, or complaints. It is truly an open-door forum for everyone. Alongside in-person participation, we also invite community members to send their queries by email. Those who reach out receive a link to join the meeting online, enabling online participation as well.
This ensures that people from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and other regions of this Consulate General’s consular jurisdiction also join remotely, present their issues, concerns, and share their suggestions, all of which we do our best to address.
As regards issuance of visas to non-Pakistanis, the Government of Pakistan has introduced a new category which is called Visa Prior to Arrival. This category of visa is free of cost and visa is issued within 48 working hours under three categories
(i) Business, (ii) Tourist and (iii) Sikh Pilgrims.
MM: Are there programs or events to
support cultural identity, youth, and women, and any major events planned to promote Pakistan’s heritage on the West Coast?
Hon. S. H.: Of course, the Consulate General of Pakistan will continue the tradition of promoting art, culture, and positive engagement. I have been pursuing community engagement since my arrival whether through meet and greet or Open House during flag hoisting on the Independence Day of Pakistan at my
residence or participation at Jashn-e- Azadi Celebration programme orgarnised by “Friends of Pakistan Canada Association” program in Surrey, British Columbia, or encouraging our young Champions of Ice Hockey just to name a few.
One observation that everyone makes is that there are many small groupings within our community. While it would be more
impactful to organize larger, united events rather than multiple smaller ones it also needs to be recognized that differences of opinion and personal preferences are all but natural and sometimes beyond our control.
In my very first interactions, I shared that our community is like a bouquet of flowers — with roses, tulips, and many others. When the bouquet is together, its fragrance is even stronger, but even individually, each flower has its own fragrant beauty. My effort is always to do my best to foster unity, strengthen bonds, and ensure that everyone feels included in our collective participation and I would continue to do my best in that endeavor.
MM: What impact has the Pakistan–Western Canada Trade
Association had, and how do you plan to boost bilateral trade and investment in Pakistan?
Hon. S. H.: The role of Trade and Investment can hardly be overstated whose enhancement is also one our key objectives as Pakistan’s missions abroad. During our pre-departure interaction with the honorable Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, his singular emphasis was on Trade and Investment.
Hence, immediately upon my arrival, I reached out and held my inaugural individual meeting with President Pakistan Canada Trade Association and thereafter one-to-one sideline meetings with individual members, whereas, full quorum meeting with PWCTA has been scheduled for 02 September 2025 due to availability of key members.
As I move to complete my second month in charge, through these meetings that I mentioned and by interactions with Canadian side, I am already working on a strategy to prioritize sectors and areas which would yield the most fruitful results in enhancing our Trade and Investment relations especially from Western Canada.
MM: Are there academic partnerships or educational exchange programs between Pakistani and Canadian institutions that the Consulate is supporting?
Hon. S. H.: As regards the educational institutions, most of them are closed for holidays till September, and the teachers
or executives have gone for vacations, nevertheless we have tried to reach out.
We are looking for ways to interact with our students our youth also to get to know the real issues that they face here and the things that are important to them.
Hopefully in the first week of September when the institutes re-open we should have some headway in this direction and try to forge closer educational linkages.
MM: How does the Government of Pakistan ensure transparency in overseas donations, and what role does the Consulate play in keeping donors informed?
Hon. S. H.: I believe that whenever it comes to national causes, our Pakistani nation home and abroad always stands up, and contributes wholeheartedly, just as they do from Canada for which we cannot thank you all enough.
As for Consulate’s role here, I can assure you that every single cent contributed to the Government of Pakistan through our
official accounts is duly transferred back home. However, if there are questions or concerns or specific suggestions, we would be glad to forward them to the relevant authorities.
MM: Before we conclude, could you share a few words about “The Miracle “ and its role in representing the Pakistani community in Canada?
Hon. S. H.: It is my pleasure to talk about your newspaper. To be completing 25 years of service is a remarkable achievement for Miracle, both for the Pakistani community and for the wider community.
I have seen your editorial work and the strong connections you have built with your writers. In today’s age, when reading habits are declining, it is especially important to encourage people to read, stay informed, and contribute positively to education, knowledge, and community needs.
In this regard, Miracle is doing an excellent job. Congratulations on this great achievement!
• Thanks for your time, Sir.
