ISLAMABAD: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani has concluded a landmark visit to Pakistan, the first by a Syrian foreign minister in 19 years, as Islamabad and Damascus moved to deepen political, economic and security cooperation.
Al-Shaibani visited Pakistan from August 19 to 20 at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, leading a high-level Syrian delegation for talks aimed at expanding bilateral relations and coordination on regional developments. Pakistan’s Foreign Office described the visit as an important step towards developing a forward-looking framework for stronger ties between the two countries.
During his stay in Islamabad, the Syrian foreign minister held talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. He also met Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan.
According to Syrian state news agency SANA, Pakistan reaffirmed its support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, as well as Damascus’s position on the occupied Golan Heights. Islamabad also condemned recent Israeli strikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Idlib as a violation of international law.
The two sides discussed strengthening political, security and economic cooperation, expanding people-to-people contacts and reviving institutional mechanisms that had remained inactive for years.
Syrian officials said preliminary agreement had been reached on reviving the Joint Higher Committee and reactivating the Political Dialogue Committee, signalling an effort to place bilateral engagement on a more regular institutional footing.
Discussions also covered the possible resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and Syria to facilitate travel, trade and public exchanges.
The two countries explored proposals for an investment forum in either Islamabad or Damascus, alongside wider public- and private-sector cooperation aimed at strengthening economic ties.
Al-Shaibani also welcomed recent regional defence cooperation involving Pakistan and praised Islamabad’s role in regional stability, according to SANA. His visit came against the backdrop of heightened Middle Eastern tensions and Damascus’s broader push to strengthen relations with regional partners.
Syrian officials have identified relations with Islamabad, Riyadh and Ankara as important components of Damascus’s regional engagement, arguing that closer coordination with these capitals could contribute to greater regional stability.
Pakistan and Syria agreed during the visit to maintain regular institutional engagement, expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest and strengthen people-to-people contacts.
The visit marked the most significant diplomatic engagement between the two countries in nearly two decades and signalled a renewed effort by Islamabad and Damascus to broaden cooperation beyond traditional political ties into trade, investment, security and regional diplomacy.
Also Read: Pakistan, DR Congo sign MoU to deepen defence cooperation
Today's E-Paper