ISLAMABAD: The Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces, Lt Gen Saddam Khalifa Haftar, met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House on Friday to discuss bilateral cooperation and matters of mutual interest.
Welcoming the Libyan military leader and his delegation to Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz expressed his desire to enhance ties between the two countries.
“We are pleased to host you and look forward to strengthening our bilateral relations,” the prime minister stated.
Lt Gen Haftar expressed gratitude for the warm reception and hospitality extended by the Pakistani government.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Minister for Defence Production Raza Hayat Hiraj, Advisor to the PM Dr. Tauqir Shah, Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi, and others.
Later in the day, Lt Gen Haftar also called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir at the General Headquarters (GHQ), according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
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The two military leaders discussed evolving regional dynamics, mutual security concerns, and avenues for defence cooperation. They agreed to pursue defence industrial collaboration and exchange technical expertise to counter contemporary security challenges, the ISPR said.
Upon his arrival at GHQ, Lt Gen Haftar laid a wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada (Martyrs’ Monument) to honour the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces. He was received with a ceremonial guard of honour presented by a well-turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army.
Lt Gen Haftar’s visit to Pakistan comes in the wake of renewed instability in Libya, following violent clashes in Tripoli earlier this year—the most intense fighting in years—triggered by the killing of a prominent militia leader. The conflict subsided two days later after a government-announced ceasefire.