Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani concluded a landmark visit to Pakistan, the first by a Syrian Foreign Minister in 19 years, as Damascus and Islamabad discussed strengthening political, security and economic cooperation.
Al-Shibani arrived in Islamabad last Wednesday at the head of a high-level delegation, marking a significant step toward a new phase of strategic cooperation between the two countries.
During talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan reaffirmed its firm support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, as well as Syria’s position on the occupied Golan.
During the visit, al-Shibani met senior Pakistani officials, including Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.
Al-Shibani welcomed the signing of the “Mecca Agreement for Mutual Defense” and praised Pakistan’s role in supporting regional stability. The two sides also discussed resuming direct flights to facilitate travel and exchanges.
They further discussed holding an investment forum in Damascus or Islamabad, expanding public- and private-sector cooperation and coordinating efforts to address regional challenges, including making use of Pakistan’s role in reducing tensions in the context of US-Iranian relations.
Mohammad al-Jaffal, Adviser for Afro-Asian Affairs at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, told Al-Ikhbariya TV on Friday that the visit came at an “important and sensitive time,” with relations between the two countries moving toward greater cooperation.
Al-Jaffal said an initial agreement had been reached to revive the Joint Higher Committee and reactivate the Political Dialogue Committee after years of suspension. He said the visit focused primarily on “building the image of the new Syrian state” and strengthening its presence through broader relations with strategic allies.
He also stressed the importance Damascus attaches to its relations with Riyadh, Ankara and Islamabad, saying the three tracks contribute to bringing regional positions closer together and strengthening Syria’s role in regional affairs.
The visit ended a 19-year hiatus in high-level Syrian-Pakistani diplomatic engagement and reflected efforts to expand bilateral cooperation across political, security and economic fields.
Meanwhile, a Jordanian official source on Monday said that, at the request of Syria, Jordan hosted a meeting on Sunday between Syrian and Israeli officials to discuss de-escalation and achieving calm following last week's Israeli bombardment of Syrian territory, which targeted the Abu Al-Duhur military airport in Idlib Governorate, and amid escalating tensions in southern Syria.
The source reiterated Jordan’s condemnation of Israeli attacks on Syria, describing them as a blatant violation of international law and a dangerous escalation, and stressed the Kingdom's full support for the Syrian government in its efforts to protect its security, stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
The source stressed the need for Israel to immediately halt its brutal attacks on Syria, withdraw from occupied Syrian territory and respect the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. (SANA; Al-Ikhbariya TV; Petra; Photo © SANA)
