Strengthening relations between Pakistan and Syria in areas including politics, defense, trade, investment and education was discussed during a meeting in Islamabad. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Pakistan during his meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani.
According to a statement from the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office, Sharif conveyed his best wishes to al-Sharaa while receiving the Syrian delegation. Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and conveyed Islamabad’s position on the Golan Heights.
Direct flights and pilgrimage visits on the agenda
Referring to the longstanding relations between the two countries, Sharif called for broader cooperation in various fields, including human resource development. The Pakistani prime minister said resuming direct flights between Pakistan and Syria would increase contact between the two peoples and facilitate visits by Pakistani pilgrims to Syria.
Al-Shaibani, who arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday night for a two-day visit, conveyed al-Sharaa’s greetings to Sharif. The Syrian foreign minister briefed him on Syria’s political transition and reconstruction efforts and thanked Pakistan for its continued support.
Al-Shaibani said the administration in Damascus wanted to revitalize bilateral relations at an early stage through institutional mechanisms. The meeting also addressed joint steps to develop trade and investment ties.
Joint investment mechanisms proposed
During a separate meeting with Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, al-Shaibani proposed establishing a Pakistan-Syria Joint Business Council to bring together the business communities of the two countries. The council is intended to facilitate trade and investment.
The Syrian foreign minister also proposed holding a joint investment forum in Damascus. Pakistan expressed interest in sending trade and business delegations to Syria and reviving the Pakistan-Syria Joint Ministerial Commission.
The sides listed energy, transport, agriculture, industry, housing, pharmaceuticals, textiles and information technology among the potential areas of cooperation.
First Syrian foreign minister’s visit in 19 years
Sharif invited Syrian President al-Sharaa to make an official visit to Pakistan at a suitable date. Al-Shaibani’s visit was the first visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan in 19 years.
The last visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan took place in 2007, when Walid Muallem traveled to the country. A Pakistani delegation also met with al-Shaibani in Damascus last June.
