Syrian Foreign Minister meets COAS Asim Munir to discuss defence cooperation

Following his meetings, the visiting Syrian Foreign Minister described his official visit to Pakistan as a "major milestone" for bilateral relations. He was also accompanied by a delegation during his meeting at the GHQ.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met with Pakistan's Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Friday. According to a statement from the military's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two discussed matters of mutual interest, the regional security environment, and avenues for enhanced bilateral defence and security cooperation.

The ISPR added that CDF Munir highlighted Pakistan's longstanding fraternal ties with Syria and shared Pakistan's perspective on global peace and regional stability. The visiting dignitary reportedly appreciated the professional role played by the Pakistan Armed Forces in promoting regional peace. Both sides reiterated their resolve to further strengthen bilateral ties and expand engagement in defence and security.

As part of his ongoing official visit to Pakistan, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani also met with Field Marshal Asim Munir on Friday. Reports indicate the high-level meeting involved discussions on important issues, though specific details were not immediately available.

Pakistan News will update this story as more confirmed details become available.

In a meeting with Pakistan’s Commerce Minister, Jam Kamal Khan, on Thursday, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani proposed the establishment of a Pakistan-Syria Joint Business Council to facilitate direct interaction between the business communities of both nations.

Mr. al-Shaibani, who is leading a high-level business delegation, also suggested convening a joint investment forum in Damascus. He identified housing, real estate, energy, transportation, seaports, agriculture, industry, and human resource development as promising areas for cooperation, noting that the current trade volume does not reflect the true potential.

The Syrian minister announced that a delegation from Syria’s Ministry of Economy would visit Pakistan to further explore these opportunities.

In response, Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan proposed close coordination between the relevant trade authorities to create a practical roadmap. He also suggested reviving the Pakistan-Syria Joint Ministerial Commission and arranging virtual meetings between businesses to prepare for in-person engagements.

During the meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch were also in attendance.

During his meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, visiting Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani briefed the premier on his country's political situation and reconstruction efforts. In response, the Prime Minister explicitly stated Pakistan's full support for Syria's stance on the Golan Heights. The Syrian minister also expressed a desire to establish a formal institutional mechanism for bilateral cooperation soon.

During delegation-level talks in Islamabad, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani discussed a range of regional issues, including the situations in Palestine, the Golan Heights, Afghanistan, South Asia, and the Middle East. According to a Foreign Office spokesperson, the Syrian Foreign Minister welcomed Pakistan's signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Pact and praised Pakistan's constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability. He also commended Pakistan's efforts to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue cooperation for peace and prosperity.

On Thursday, visiting Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad to discuss bilateral relations and regional matters.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan's "unwavering support" for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He called for enhancing cooperation in the political, defence, trade, investment, and education sectors.

The Prime Minister also proposed the resumption of direct flights between the two countries to improve people-to-people contact and facilitate Pakistani pilgrims visiting Syria. He affirmed that Pakistan would continue to support Syria's stance on the Golan Heights.

Mr. al-Shaibani conveyed a message of goodwill from Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and briefed the Prime Minister on the political situation and reconstruction efforts in Syria. In turn, Prime Minister Sharif extended an invitation to President al-Sharaa to undertake an official visit to Pakistan.

On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar formally welcomed his Syrian counterpart, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, in Islamabad. The two held delegation-level talks focusing on bilateral relations, cooperation, and regional and international matters of mutual interest.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani arrived in Islamabad early on Thursday, August 20, where he was received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Additional Secretary for the Middle East. The Foreign Office confirmed the arrival on the social media platform X.

The visit follows Pakistan's recent condemnation of an Israeli attack on the Abu al-Duhur airbase near Aleppo. According to Syrian state media, the attack involved eight airstrikes on the runway and storage facilities, though reports indicated no casualties.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for a two-day official visit, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

Mr. al-Shaibani, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation, is visiting at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. During his stay from August 19-20, he is expected to hold detailed discussions on bilateral relations, regional and global issues, and ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries.