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Pakistan reaffirmed its support Thursday for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity during talks with visiting Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani in Islamabad.
The affirmation was made by Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during a meeting with Shaibani, according to an official statement.
Shaibani arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday night for a two-day visit, his first trip to Pakistan since the overthrow of the Bashar Assad regime in December 2024.
His visit came after Israel launched what Islamabad called an unprovoked attack on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province on Tuesday.
The two sides held “wide-ranging” delegation-level talks, reaffirming their longstanding “brotherly” ties and agreeing to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said.
The ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments, including Palestine, the Golan Heights, Afghanistan, the situation in South Asia and developments in the Middle East.
Shaibani welcomed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed earlier this month between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
He also commended Islamabad’s “constructive” role in promoting regional peace and stability, including its efforts toward de-escalating the U.S.-Iran conflict.
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Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement and cooperation for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond.
In addition to talks with Dar, Shaibani is expected to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials.
The visit marks the first trip by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan in 19 years.
The last Syrian foreign minister to visit Pakistan was Walid al-Mouallem, who traveled to Islamabad in 2007.
A Pakistani delegation met Shaibani in Damascus last June.
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