Islamabad (GNP): Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held talks on Thursday to explore avenues for expanding bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Syria, alongside in-depth discussions on regional developments.
The Syrian minister arrived in Islamabad early Thursday on an official visit extended at Dar’s invitation, marking a significant diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
According to a post on social media platform X by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the two sides held a warm and constructive restricted meeting during which they reaffirmed the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan and Syria. The discussions also covered ways to advance bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest, alongside a broader exchange on regional developments affecting both nations.
Upon his arrival in Islamabad, the visiting minister was received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ additional secretary for the Middle East, the Foreign Office said, sharing images of the reception on X.
A day earlier, the Foreign Office had indicated that the two sides would hold comprehensive discussions across the full spectrum of bilateral relations, review avenues for further cooperation, and exchange views on regional and international developments, describing the visit as an important step toward strengthening ties between the two countries.
The visit carries particular significance as the first by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan since Walid al-Mouallem’s trip in May 2007, and the first such visit since the change of government in Damascus. It comes as Syria’s transitional leadership continues to pursue regional and international engagement following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in 2024, positioning Thursday’s talks within a broader pattern of Syria rebuilding diplomatic relationships since that transition.
The visit also follows Pakistan’s strong condemnation on Wednesday of what it called an unprovoked Israeli attack on an airbase in Syria, a development that added further context to the timing of the Syrian minister’s trip.
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Syria’s state-run Ekhbariya television, citing a military source, reported that Israel carried out eight airstrikes on the runway and storage facilities at the Abu al-Duhur base near Aleppo in northwest Syria, though a separate military source and a civilian living near the base said no casualties resulted from the strikes.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office described the strikes as a serious breach of international norms. Says the Foreign Office, “Such provocative actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law and have the potential to further undermine regional peace and stability.”
The statement added, “Pakistan expresses its unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Syria, and reiterates its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as peace and prosperity of the Syrian Arab Republic.”
Managing Editor at Global News Pakistan (GNP), with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Riphah International University, graduated with a Gold Medal. Reach out at sabahtareengnp@gmail.com
