Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for developing ties with Syria in various areas and invited Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Pakistan. Sharif delivered the message during a meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani in Islamabad on Thursday.
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 Pakistan’s position on the Golan Heights.
Resumption of direct flights on the agenda
The meeting addressed the need to further advance the longstanding relations between the two countries in politics, defense, trade, investment, education and human resource development.
Sharif said resuming direct flights between Pakistan and Syria would increase contacts between the two peoples and facilitate visits to Syria by Pakistani pilgrims.
Al-Shaibani, who arrived in Islamabad late Wednesday for a two-day visit, conveyed al-Sharaa’s greetings to the Pakistani prime minister. The Syrian foreign minister briefed him on his country’s political transition and reconstruction efforts.
Al-Shaibani thanked Pakistan for its continued support and said the Damascus administration wanted to revive bilateral relations at an early stage through institutional mechanisms.
Joint structures proposed for trade and investment
The meeting also addressed steps that could be taken to expand trade and investment between Pakistan and Syria. During a separate meeting with Pakistani Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, al-Shaibani proposed establishing a Pakistan-Syria Joint Business Council to bring together the two countries’ business communities and 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.
Potential areas of cooperation discussed by the sides included energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, housing, pharmaceuticals, textiles and information technology.
First Syrian foreign minister to visit Pakistan in 19 years
Sharif invited Syrian President al-Sharaa to make an official visit to Pakistan at a convenient date. Al-Shaibani’s visit was the first visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan in 19 years.
The last Syrian foreign minister to visit Pakistan was Walid al-Muallem, who made the trip in 2007. A Pakistani delegation met with al-Shaibani in Damascus last June.
