Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday stressed the need to broaden cooperation with Syria in trade, defence, investment, education and other areas. He made these remarks during his meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, who arrived in Islamabad earlier in the day on an official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. He is accompanied by a high-level official delegation.
Welcoming Al-Shaibani and his delegation, the prime minister conveyed his best wishes to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and recalled his recent interactions with him. He also reaffirmed Pakistan's steadfast support for Syria's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. Recalling the historic and multifaceted ties between the two countries, PM Shehbaz stressed the need to expand bilateral cooperation across multiple areas, including politics, defence, trade, investment, education and human resource development.
The prime minister said the resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and Syria would help strengthen people-to-people contacts and facilitate the large number of Pakistani pilgrims who travel to Syria for religious visits. He reiterated Pakistan's support for Syria's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and said Islamabad would firmly support Syria's position on the Golan Heights. The Syrian foreign minister conveyed President Ahmed al-Sharaa's greetings to PM Shehbaz and briefed him on Syria's ongoing political transition and reconstruction efforts.
Al-Shaibani thanked Pakistan for its consistent support for Syria over the past several years and expressed his government's keen interest in revitalising bilateral engagement, including through the establishment of early institutional mechanisms for cooperation. The prime minister also invited President Ahmed al-Sharaa to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch were also present during the meeting.
DPM Dar and Syrian Foreign Minister al-Shaibani held delegation level talks, wherein they agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual interest. The two sides reaffirmed the longstanding brotherly ties between the two countries. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including Palestine, the Golan Heights, Afghanistan, the situation in South Asia, and developments in the Middle East.
Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's support for Syria's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. The Syrian Foreign Minister welcomed the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and commended Pakistan's constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability, including its efforts towards de-escalation in the US-Iran context. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement and cooperation for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond.
The visit is taking place from August 19 to 20 and is aimed at further strengthening Pakistan-Syria relations and advancing cooperation between the two countries. The FO had earlier said the visit would provide an opportunity for the two sides to hold in-depth discussions on bilateral relations, explore avenues for enhanced cooperation and exchange views on regional and international developments.