PM Shehbaz stresses need to translate friendship with Syria into bilateral cooperation

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, stressing the importance of translating their long-standing friendship into enhanced bilateral cooperation, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. The Syrian diplomat arrived in Islamabad at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Prime Minister Shehbaz recalled the "historic and multifaceted ties" between Islamabad and Damascus, emphasizing the need to expand cooperation across various sectors, including politics, defense, trade, investment, education, and human resource development. He reaffirmed Pakistan's support for Syria's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and highlighted that the resumption of direct flights between the two nations would boost people-to-people exchanges and facilitate pilgrims visiting Syria from Pakistan.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa conveyed greetings to PM Shehbaz and briefed him on Syria's ongoing transitional and reconstruction efforts. Al-Shaibani expressed gratitude for Pakistan's consistent support and interest in revitalizing bilateral engagement. In a separate development, Dar reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to Syria's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity after an Israeli attack on a Syrian airbase earlier.

Both sides reaffirmed "long-standing brotherly ties," discussed regional and international developments, and expressed commitment to continued engagement and cooperation for peace, stability, and prosperity. This marks the first visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan since the change of government in Damascus.