Syrian FM Asaad al-Shaibani due in Islamabad today
ISLAMABAD: Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani is due here on Wednesday for a two-day official visit, marking the first visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly two decades as the two countries seek to revive political, economic and security cooperation. Mr Shaibani is expected to hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and call on Prime Minister…
Islamabad will host Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani for a two-day official visit on Wednesday, marking the first such visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly two decades. The trip, scheduled for August 19-20, aims to revive political, economic, and security cooperation between the two nations. Shaibani is anticipated to engage in discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, alongside a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Furthermore, the minister will converse with defence and commerce ministers.
The visit comes as Syria's transitional leadership strives for regional and international engagement following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in 2024. According to a diplomatic source, Shaibani is visiting at the invitation of Pakistan's leadership and holds hope for a "historic" bilateral cooperation. While there is no formal framework for broader collaboration, discussions are projected to encompass defense, economic cooperation, reconciliation, regional developments, and security issues within the Middle East.
This visit will be the first by a Syrian foreign minister since Walid al-Mouallem traveled to Pakistan in May 2007, and the first since the regime change in Damascus.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.