Pakistan Shifts Stance on Syria, Welcomes New Interim Leadership
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has officially signaled a major shift in its foreign policy regarding Syria, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his support to the newly appointed interim President, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, on Saturday.
This marks Pakistan’s first formal acknowledgment of the political transition in Syria, following the ascension of opposition leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa to the presidency in the war-ravaged nation.
“We welcome Mr. Ahmed Al-Sharaa as the President of the Syrian Arab Republic during this transitional period and express hope that his leadership will bring peace, stability, and prosperity to the brotherly people of Syria,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Al-Sharaa assumed office on Wednesday after Syria’s 2012 Constitution, Parliament, and military structures were dissolved. His administration is expected to govern until a new constitutional framework is established.
Many Arab nations quickly recognized the leadership change, with Qatar’s Amir making an unexpected visit to Damascus on Saturday, becoming the first Arab leader to set foot in Syria after the fall of the Assad government in December.
Observers suggest that Pakistan’s shift in stance follows the lead of several key allies, including Arab nations and Turkey, which have openly backed Al-Sharaa’s administration.
During Syria’s prolonged civil war, Pakistan maintained a neutral stance, officially advocating for a balanced approach. However, a deeper analysis indicates that Islamabad had tacitly supported the Assad regime due to historical ties.
Pakistan and Syria share a long history of cooperation, particularly in military relations. Pakistani pilots famously flew Syrian fighter jets during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, and many Pakistani officers have trained at Syrian military institutions, later assuming high-ranking roles in Pakistan.
This enduring bond was a key reason why Pakistan refrained from aligning with groups seeking to overthrow Assad during the Arab Spring uprisings. The sudden downfall of the Assad government took many by surprise, including Pakistan.
Previously, Pakistan’s Foreign Office emphasized Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty but had not explicitly endorsed the opposition, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
HTS, formerly known as the Nusra Front and affiliated with Al-Qaeda, saw its leader, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, sever ties with Al-Qaeda in 2015. Since the regime’s collapse, Al-Sharaa has rebranded himself as a moderate figure aligned with Western interests.
Adopting a more modern political image, Al-Sharaa is often seen in Western-style suits and ties. In a recent interview with the BBC, he dismissed speculation that Syria would adopt a governance model similar to that of the Taliban. He emphasized Syria’s distinct cultural and historical identity, contrasting it with Afghanistan’s tribal structure.
The interim president assured that there would be no restrictions on girls’ education and affirmed that all religious sects and minorities would enjoy complete freedoms under his leadership.
