Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday for a two-day visit, marking the first trip by Syria’s top diplomat to Pakistan in 19 years as Damascus seeks to deepen ties with the country.
Al-Shaibani arrived at the head of a high-level delegation and is expected to meet Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as the country’s defence and commerce ministers.
Talks are expected to focus on defence cooperation, economic ties and regional security, including developments in Syria and the wider Middle East.
The visit is the first by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The last such visit took place in May 2007.
Pakistan and Syria have maintained political and military ties for decades, including through military training exchanges. Islamabad also kept its embassy in Damascus open throughout the Syrian conflict and maintained diplomatic representation following Assad’s removal.
However, the two countries currently lack a broad formal framework governing bilateral cooperation.
Al-Shaibani’s visit comes as Syria’s new leadership seeks to rebuild diplomatic relationships and expand regional partnerships following more than a decade of war and international isolation under Assad.
For Pakistan, the talks provide an opportunity to build on longstanding ties with Damascus at a time of significant political and security changes across the Middle East.
Further details on agreements or initiatives emerging from the visit are expected following al-Shaibani’s meetings with Pakistani officials.
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