Islamabad, August 20, 2026: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday held talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, reaffirming Pakistan’s steadfast support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and calling for stronger bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
The Syrian foreign minister, accompanied by a high-level delegation, called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Pakistan.
Welcoming Al-Shaibani and his delegation, the prime minister conveyed his best wishes for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and recalled his recent interactions with him.
Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized the historic and multifaceted ties between Pakistan and Syria and stressed the need to translate the longstanding friendship between the two countries into enhanced cooperation in politics, defence, trade, investment, education and human resource development.
He said the resumption of direct flights between Pakistan and Syria would help strengthen people-to-people contacts and facilitate the large number of Pakistani pilgrims who travel to Syria for religious visits.
The prime minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Syria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and said Islamabad would firmly support Syria’s position on the Golan Heights.
Al-Shaibani conveyed the greetings of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to Prime Minister Shehbaz and briefed him on Syria’s ongoing political transition and reconstruction efforts.
The Syrian foreign minister thanked Pakistan for its consistent support to Syria over the years and expressed his government’s strong interest in revitalizing bilateral engagement, including through the establishment and activation of institutional mechanisms for cooperation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz also invited President Ahmed al-Sharaa to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch were also present during the meeting.
