Islamabad supporting Assad regime? Pakistani ambassador meets top Syrian leadership

Pakistani Ambassador in Damascus Syed Athar Hussain Bukhari on Monday called on Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halaqi and Deputy Premier Ghalawanji, state run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

Pakistan on Wednesday stated that it is against any attempt to topple the government of Syrian President Bashar al Assad.

“Pakistan is also against foreign military intervention in Syria and fully supports the territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic,” said Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry.

“Pakistan supports all efforts employed at facilitating a peaceful Syrian-led and inclusive solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people through a comprehensive political dialogue,” Chaudhry added.

Syrian Prime Minister Wael al-Halaqi discussed bilateral relations and Syria’s internal crisis with the Pakistani ambassador, the agency said.

In turn, Bukhari asserted Pakistani government’s keenness to developing bilateral relations and expressed the Pakistani people and government’s support for the Syrian people and their leadership in their war against terrorism.

“All-Halaqi expressed Syria’s desire to reactivate the agreements signed between the two countries, to sign new agreements, and expand trade base, especially in the fields of grains, rice, sugar, information technology, pharmaceuticals and surgical and medical supplies, as well as boosting cultural exchange and establishing joint investment projects”, the agency reported.

Deputy Prime Minister for Services Affairs, Minister of Local Administration Omar Ibrahim Ghalawanji also met Bukhari, with Ghalawanji affirming that the Syrian government, represented by the Higher Committee for Relief, is making all-out efforts to alleviate effects of the crisis on the Syrian people.

For his part, Bukhari affirmed that Pakistan was firm in its stance towards the crisis in Syria and that any solution for the crisis must be devised by the Syrians themselves.