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<\/p>\nPakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called Thursday for broadening cooperation with Syria and invited President Ahmed al-Sharaa to visit Pakistan, as Islamabad moves to deepen ties with Damascus across a range of sectors.<\/p>\n
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met Sharif in Islamabad, where the Pakistani premier welcomed the Syrian delegation and conveyed his best wishes to President al-Sharaa, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n
Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s support for Syria\u2019s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, including its position on the Golan Heights.<\/p>\n
Recalling the longstanding ties between the two countries, Sharif called for stronger cooperation in politics, defense, trade, investment, education and human resource development.<\/p>\n
He also said restoring direct flights between Pakistan and Syria would boost people-to-people contacts and facilitate visits by Pakistani pilgrims to Syria.<\/p>\n
Al-Shaibani arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday night for a two-day visit, his first to Pakistan since the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024.<\/p>\n
He conveyed greetings from al-Sharaa and briefed Sharif on Syria\u2019s political transition and reconstruction efforts.<\/p>\n
Al-Shaibani thanked Pakistan for its continued support and expressed Damascus\u2019 interest in revitalizing bilateral engagement through institutional mechanisms at an early stage.<\/p>\n
The talks came as Pakistan and Syria also explored ways to expand trade and investment ties.<\/p>\n
Separately, during a meeting with Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan, al-Shaibani proposed establishing a Pakistan-Syria Joint Business Council to connect the two countries\u2019 business communities and facilitate trade and investment.<\/p>\n
The Syrian minister also proposed holding a joint investment forum in Damascus, while Pakistan expressed interest in sending trade and business delegations to Syria and reviving the Pakistan-Syria Joint Ministerial Commission.<\/p>\n
The two sides identified energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, housing, pharmaceuticals, textiles and information technology as potential areas for cooperation.<\/p>\n
Sharif extended an invitation to President al-Sharaa to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date.<\/p>\n
The visit marks the first by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan in 19 years.<\/p>\n
The last Syrian foreign minister to visit Pakistan was Walid al-Mouallem in 2007.<\/p>\n
A Pakistani delegation met al-Shaibani in Damascus last June.<\/p>\n
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