Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has called for expanded cooperation with Syria across various sectors, including politics, defense, trade, and investment. He also extended an invitation to Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara to visit Pakistan. This was reported by Anadolu.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asad Hassan Al-Shaibani met with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Thursday. A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office noted that Shahbaz welcomed the Syrian delegation and conveyed his greetings to President Al-Shara.
This visit holds special significance as it marks the first time a Syrian Foreign Minister has visited Pakistan in 19 years; the last such visit was by Walid Al-Moallem in 2007.
Shahbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. He also reiterated Pakistan’s stance regarding the Golan Heights issue.
Recalling the long-standing ties between the two nations, the Prime Minister called for further strengthening cooperation in sectors such as politics, defense, trade, investment, education, and human resource development.
He stated that restoring direct air links between Pakistan and Syria would enhance people-to-people contact and facilitate travel for Pakistani pilgrims wishing to visit Syria.
This is Al-Shaibani’s first visit to Pakistan as Foreign Minister following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government in December 2024. He arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday night for a two-day visit.
Additionally, he proposed organizing a joint investment forum in the Syrian capital, Damascus. Pakistan also expressed interest in sending trade and business delegations to Syria and reviving the Pakistan-Syria Joint Ministerial Commission.
The two countries identified energy, transport, agriculture, industry, housing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and information technology as potential areas for cooperation.
During the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif formally invited President Ahmad Al-Shara to visit Pakistan for an official trip at a mutually convenient time. Last June, a Pakistani delegation also visited the Syrian capital, Damascus, and held a meeting with Al-Shaibani.
