New York (September 23, 2025): Pakistan’s Vice President and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a landmark meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), underscoring Islamabad’s support for Damascus and its people.
In a post on X, Dar shared that he conveyed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Syrian nation and reaffirmed Islamabad’s resolve to deepen its long-standing ties with Syria. “We expressed our determination to further strengthen the historic friendship between Pakistan and Syria through cooperation in diverse areas, including trade, human capital, and development,” he said.
President al-Sharaa’s presence at the UNGA was notable, as he became the first Syrian leader to attend the global forum in nearly six decades. Analysts described the meeting as symbolically significant, given the shifting dynamics in Middle Eastern diplomacy.
Beyond his engagement with Syria, Dar also attended a special session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at the UN Headquarters. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted the plight of Palestinians and Kashmiris while stressing the need to combat rising Islamophobia. He called for greater OIC unity, warning that internal divisions within the Muslim world undermine collective efforts to safeguard fundamental rights.
The Vice President also met Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, where both sides agreed to explore new avenues for trade and economic cooperation. Later, during the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Dar underlined the interconnected crises the world is grappling with conflicts, environmental disasters, economic turbulence, and rapid technological change. He cautioned that the environmental crisis poses a grave threat to many Commonwealth states, pointing out that Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations globally.
Diplomatic observers noted that Dar’s engagements reflected Pakistan’s attempt to balance traditional alliances with emerging global challenges, while also positioning itself as a voice for Muslim causes at international platforms.
