Syrian FM meets CDF Asim Munir, discusses defence and security cooperation

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, accompanied by a delegation, called on Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Friday, the military’s media wing said.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the meeting discussed matters of mutual interest, the regional security environment and avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation in defence and security.

Field Marshal Munir highlighted Pakistan’s longstanding fraternal ties with Syria and shared Pakistan’s perspective on global peace and regional stability. He underscored the importance of cooperation and joint efforts to address common security challenges, he stated.

The Syrian foreign minister appreciated the professional role played by the Pakistan Armed Forces in promoting regional peace and stability.

Both sides reaffirmed their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties and expand engagement and cooperation in the fields of defence and security.

The development comes a day after, during a meeting with Syrian FM Al-Shaibani, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria, as well as its position on the Golan Heights.

The Syrian foreign minister was accompanied by a high-level 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.