ISLAMABAD: Libyan Armed Forces’ Comm­ander in Chief Lt Gen Saddam Khalifa Haftar met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at Prime Minister House on Friday to discuss matters of mutual interest and cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

During the meeting, PM Shehbaz welcomed the Libyan Commander-in-Chief and his delegation to Pakistan.

“We are pleased to host you and look forward to strengthening our bilateral relations,” the prime minister said.

The Libyan commander thanked the prime minister for the warm welcome and hospitality.

The meeting was atte­nded by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif, Federal Minister for Defence Production Raza Hayat Hiraj, Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr. Tauqir Shah, Special Assistant to the PM Tariq Fatemi, and other senior government officials.

Libyan commander in chief calls on PM, COAS

Also on Friday, Lt Gen Haftar called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir at General Headquarters, Inter-Services Public Relations said.

“Both leaders agreed to undertake defence industrial collaboration and exchange of technical expertise to address contemporary security challenges,” the ISPR added.

The meeting also encompassed discussions on matters of mutual interest, evolving regional dynamics, security challenges, and issues pertaining to defence cooperation.

Upon his arrival at the GHQ, the Libyan armed forces’ chief laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada (martyrs’ monument) to pay homage to the martyrs of the Pakistan Army.

He was offered a warm welcome, followed by a guard of honour by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Army, the statement added.

The visit comes amid recent unrest in Libya, where Tripoli witnessed the worst clashes in years in May after the killing of a major militia leader.

The fighting subsided two days later after the government announced a ceasefire.

With input from APP

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2025