Pakistan and Haftar government reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation during high-level meetings in Islamabad on Friday.

Lt Gen Saddam Khalifa Haftar, the Commander-in-Chief of the Eastern Libya-based armed forces, held talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir during his official visit. The discussions focused on enhancing defense industrial collaboration and exchanging technical expertise between the two countries.

“We are pleased to host you and look forward to strengthening our bilateral relations,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while welcoming the Libyan delegation at the Prime Minister House. Lt Gen Haftar expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended by the Pakistani leadership.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Hiraj, Advisor to the PM Dr. Tauqir Shah, and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi also attended the meeting.

Later, Lt. General Haftar visited the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, where he laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada to honour Pakistan Army martyrs. The Libyan general received a guard of honour from a contingent of the Pakistan Army.

According to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), both sides “agreed to undertake defence industrial collaboration and exchange of technical expertise to address contemporary security challenges.” The talks also covered mutual interests, regional dynamics, and broader defence cooperation.

The visit comes amid ongoing unrest in Libya, which recently witnessed its worst clashes in years in Tripoli after the killing of a militia leader. A ceasefire restored calm after two days of fighting.