PM Shehbaz reaffirms Pakistan’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, as well as its position on the Golan Heights, during a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani.

The Syrian foreign minister called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with his delegation in Islamabad.

Welcoming Al-Shaibani, the prime minister conveyed his best wishes to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and recalled his recent interactions with him.

The prime minister highlighted the historic and multifaceted ties between Pakistan and Syria, stressing the need to translate their longstanding friendship into enhanced cooperation in political, defence, trade, investment, education and human resource development sectors.

He also underlined the importance of resuming direct flights between the two countries, saying the move would strengthen people-to-people contacts and facilitate Pakistani pilgrims undertaking religious visits to Syria.

Reiterating Pakistan’s principled position, Shehbaz said Islamabad would continue to firmly support Syria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and back Damascus’ stance on the Golan Heights.

During the meeting, the Syrian foreign minister conveyed greetings from President Ahmed al-Sharaa and briefed the prime minister on Syria’s ongoing political transition and reconstruction efforts.

Al-Shaibani thanked Pakistan for its consistent support for Syria over the years and expressed his government’s keen interest in revitalising bilateral engagement, including through the early establishment of institutional mechanisms for cooperation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also invited President Ahmed al-Sharaa to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch were also present during the meeting.

Pakistan, Syria discuss regional developments

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a warm and constructive restricted meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani in Islamabad on Thursday, with the two sides discussing bilateral ties and regional developments.

During the meeting, the two foreign ministers reaffirmed the deep-rooted brotherly relations between Pakistan and Syria and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The two sides also held in-depth discussions on regional developments, according to the Foreign Office.

Pakistan and Syria have also agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across areas of mutual interest.

The understanding to this effect was reached during wide-ranging delegation-level talks between the two countries, led by DPM Dar and Syrian FM al-Shaibani.

The two sides 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.

Earlier, Syrian Foreign Minister Al-Shaibani arrived in Islamabad at the invitation of DPM Dar. He was accompanied by a high-level official delegation, the Foreign Office said.

Upon arrival, Al-Shaibani was received at the airport by the additional secretary for Middle East Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The visit marks an important step towards further enhancing Pakistan-Syria relations and advancing cooperation between the two countries,” the Foreign Office said.

The Syrian foreign minister was subsequently received by Ishaq Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.

According to the Foreign Office, the two foreign ministers held a tête-à-tête followed by delegation-level talks focusing on bilateral relations and ways to further strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and Syria.

The visit marks the first foreign minister-level visit between Pakistan and Syria in nearly two decades, it maintained.