Syrian FM visit to Pakistan is set to take place today as Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrives in Islamabad for a two-day official trip. This marks the first visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan in nearly twenty years and signals a fresh effort to rebuild political, economic and security ties between the two nations.
Mr Shaibani is expected to hold detailed talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. He will also call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and meet the defence and commerce ministers. Diplomatic sources quoted by AFP confirmed that the visit runs from August 19 to 20 and comes at the invitation of Pakistan’s leadership.
The trip holds special importance because it is the first high-level Syrian visit since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in 2024. Syria’s new transitional leadership is actively seeking regional and international engagement, and Pakistan is among the countries being approached for renewed partnership.
A diplomatic source expressed hope that the visit would prove historic for bilateral cooperation. At present there is no formal framework covering broad collaboration between the two countries. Discussions are therefore expected to focus on defence cooperation, economic opportunities, reconciliation efforts, and the latest regional developments and security challenges in the Middle East.
The last Syrian foreign minister to visit Pakistan was Walid al-Mouallem in May 2007. Since then official contacts remained limited. The current visit therefore opens a new chapter after almost two decades of limited engagement and after the re
