Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday issued a statement on Pakistan’s Independence Day.

“Today, we join the people of Pakistan and members of the Pakistani community in Canada and around the world to celebrate Pakistan’s 72nd Independence Day," the statement said.

“Canada was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Pakistan in 1947. The people-to-people ties between Canada and Pakistan are older still. People from what is now Pakistan first migrated to Canada over a century ago and, since then, our connections have grown and deepened.

“Today, Canada and Pakistan work together on a number of global and regional issues, including climate change, security and defence, development and prosperity, trade and investment, governance, and democracy.

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, Sophie and I wish everyone celebrating a joyful Independence Day, and invite Canadians to reflect on how the Pakistani-Canadian community has made Canada a stronger, more successful country,” the statement read.