PM Shehbaz reaffirms support for Syria's sovereignty after Israeli strikes in meeting with FM Asaad Hassan

Says Pakistan will firmly support Syria's position on the Golan Heights

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed Pakistan's steadfast support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria in a meeting with the Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the Syrian foreign minister called on PM Shehbaz today.

“Welcoming Al-Shaibani and his delegation, the prime minister conveyed his best wishes for President Ahmed al-Sharaa, and recalled his recent interactions with him. He also reaffirmed Pakistan's steadfast support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria,” it said.

The statement further said that the premier recalled the historic and multifaceted ties between the two countries and emphasised the need to translate the longstanding Pakistan-Syria friendship into enhanced cooperation across politics, defence, trade, investment, education, and human resource development.

“He stated that the resumption of direct flights between the two countries would enhance people-to-people exchanges and facilitate a large number of pilgrims who undertake religious visits to Syria from Pakistan,” it added.

According to the PMO, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Syria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity and said Pakistan would firmly support Syria’s position on the Golan Heights.

“The Syrian foreign minister conveyed the greetings of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to the prime minister, and briefed him on Syria's ongoing political transition and reconstruction efforts,” it said.

ISLAMABAD: 20 August 2026.

Foreign Minister of the Syrian Arab Republic, Mr. Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif today.

Welcoming Mr. Al-Shaibani and his delegation, the Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes for President Ahmed… pic.twitter.com/1tubHQekfx

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) August 20, 2026

Asaad Hassan thanked Pakistan for its consistent support to Syria throughout the past years and expressed his government's keen interest in revitalising bilateral engagement, including through early institutional mechanisms for cooperation.

“The prime minister also extended an invitation to President Ahmed al-Sharaa to undertake an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient date, said the statement.

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Amb. Amna Baloch were also present during the meeting.

Earlier, DPM Ishaq Dar held a meeting with Asaad Hassan, with the two sides reaffirming the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan and Syria, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office (FO).

According to the statement on X, "FM Dar received Asaad Hassan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs".

"The two foreign ministers held a warm and constructive restricted meeting and discussed ways to further advance bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest, " the FO said.

They also held “in-depth discussions on regional developments”, the statement added.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 held a warm and constructive restricted meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister H.E. Mr. Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani in Islamabad.

The two sides reaffirmed the deep-rooted brotherly ties between Pakistan… pic.twitter.com/lhYoDvQZbw

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 20, 2026

The FO said the visit marked the “first foreign minister-level visit between Pakistan and Syria in nearly two decades”.

The two foreign ministers were also scheduled to hold a tête-à-tête, followed by delegation-level talks, to discuss the “entire spectrum of Pakistan-Syria bilateral relations” and explore avenues for further strengthening bilateral cooperation, the FO added.

Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 received H.E. Mr. Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

The two Foreign Ministers will hold a tête-à-tête,… pic.twitter.com/OyV6zN4xEQ

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 20, 2026

During the day, the FO said, the Syrian foreign minister landed in Islamabad on a two-day official visit to Pakistan.

Asaad Hassan was received by the FO's additional secretary for the Middle East upon his arrival in the capital. He was accompanied by a high-level official delegation during the visit, which was being held at the invitation of FM Dar, the FO added.

H.E. Mr. Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic, arrived in Islamabad today on an official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50.

Upon arrival, the… pic.twitter.com/95YAJPUJ4r

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 19, 2026

In an earlier statement issued on Wednesday, the FO said the visit would involve "in-depth discussions across the entire spectrum of bilateral relations" and a review of avenues for "further enhancing bilateral cooperation". The two sides are also expected to exchange views on regional and international developments.

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Curtain Raiser: Visit of the Foreign Minister of the Syrian Arab Republic to Pakistan

🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/oZJ7vDebu6

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 19, 2026

The ministry described the visit as "an important step towards further enhancing Pakistan-Syria relations and advancing cooperation between the two countries".

The visit came a day after Pakistan condemned Israeli airstrikes on a Syrian military airbase, with Islamabad warning that such actions could further undermine regional peace and stability.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FO described the attack on the Abu al-Duhur Airbase in Syria's Idlib province as "unprovoked" and a "flagrant violation of international law". It warned that the "provocative actions" could further destabilise an already volatile region.

Pakistan also expressed its "unwavering solidarity" with the Syrian people and reiterated its "full support" for Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace and prosperity. Islamabad called on the international community to play its role in ending what it described as "repeated violations of international law" by Israeli forces and urged it to hold Israel accountable for its "destabilising actions" in the region.

Read: Pakistan condemns ‘unprovoked’ Israeli attack on Syrian airbase

The condemnation followed Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria early on Tuesday. Syrian state media reported that eight strikes had hit the facility, damaging the runway and storage facilities. Syrian military sources and a local resident cited by state media said there were no casualties.

The Israeli military did not comment on the strikes, while Syria's Defence Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

US special presidential envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack described the strikes as an "unnecessary escalation" and said they did not advance regional stability. He called for restraint and engagement, saying all parties should prioritise dialogue over further military incidents.

The strikes came amid heightened tensions in the region and underscored concerns over the expansion of military activity in Syria, where Israel has repeatedly carried out operations against what it says are security threats.