Pakistan, Syria seek stronger ties and wider cooperation

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for stronger practical cooperation between Pakistan and Syria, saying the two countries should turn their longstanding friendship into deeper bilateral engagement.

The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani in Islamabad on Thursday. The Syrian foreign minister is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted the historic and multifaceted relationship between Islamabad and Damascus. He stressed the need to expand cooperation in several areas, including politics, defence, trade, investment, education and human resource development.

The premier also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity. He said Pakistan would continue to support Syria’s position on the Golan Heights.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also welcomed the prospect of restoring direct flights between Pakistan and Syria. He said air connectivity could strengthen people-to-people contacts and make travel easier for Pakistani pilgrims visiting Syria for religious purposes.

The Syrian foreign minister conveyed greetings from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Prime Minister Shehbaz. He also briefed the premier on Syria’s transitional phase and ongoing reconstruction efforts.

Al-Shaibani thanked Pakistan for its continued support and said Damascus was interested in revitalising relations with Islamabad. He also expressed interest in establishing institutional mechanisms to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Shehbaz conveyed his greetings to the Syrian president and invited him to visit Pakistan at a mutually convenient time.

Earlier, Ishaq Dar held delegation-level talks with the Syrian foreign minister. The discussions covered bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to strengthening their brotherly relationship. They discussed Palestine, the Golan Heights, Afghanistan, South Asia and the broader situation in the Middle East.

Al-Shaibani also welcomed the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement and appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace and stability.

The talks came shortly after an Israeli attack on a Syrian airbase. Pakistan had strongly condemned the strikes and warned that such actions could further threaten regional peace and stability.

According to Syrian reports, Israeli forces carried out several airstrikes on the runway and storage facilities at Abu al-Duhur airbase near Aleppo. No casualties were reported.

Pakistan described the attack as an unprovoked and provocative action and reiterated its support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Syrian foreign minister’s visit is particularly significant as it is the first visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan since 2007 and the first since the political transition in Damascus.

The visit reflects growing efforts by both countries to strengthen diplomatic, economic and strategic engagement during a period of major political and security changes in the region.