ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Libya on Monday explored avenues for strengthening bilateral military cooperation, with particular focus on air force collaboration, joint training, exercises, and professional exchanges.
This was discussed during a meeting between Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, and Pakistan’s Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, at Air Headquarters in Islamabad, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a press release.
The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, the regional security environment, and avenues for strengthening bilateral military cooperation.
During the meeting, Air Chief Sidhu highlighted the strong religious and historical ties between Pakistan and Libya. He also highlighted Pakistan Air Force’s operational readiness, modernization, multi-domain capability development, and emphasis on indigenisation, innovation, and human resource development.
The Air Chief reaffirmed Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to further enhance professional cooperation with the Libyan Air Force.
The delegation was briefed on the Pakistan Air Force’s indigenisation initiatives under the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park.
Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar highly appreciated PAF’s professionalism and expressed keen interest in expanding cooperation through joint training, exercises, and professional exchanges, ISPR stated.
#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 02 February, 2026Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI (M), HJ, Chief of the Air Staff, at Air Headquarters, Islamabad.
The meeting focused… pic.twitter.com/rP5XB2aqlU
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) February 2, 2026
Pakistan, Libya Explore Avenues to Strengthen Defence Cooperation
The visit underscores a renewed momentum in defence collaboration between the two brotherly nations.
Earlier on Monday, the Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, along with Dr. Osama Saad Hammad, Prime Minister of the Government of Libya, met Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, ISPR said in a press release.
During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, with a focus on security dynamics in their respective regions and professional cooperation.
“The discussion underscored the importance of continued engagement and collaboration between the Armed Forces of Pakistan and Libya,” the statement said.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with Libya. He emphasised Pakistan’s support for peace, stability, and institutional development in Libya.
Earlier, on arrival at Noor Khan Airbase, Field Marshal Khalifa Abu-al-Qasim Haftar was received by Pakistan Army Chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
Pakistan and Libya maintain cooperative defence ties, primarily focused on training, professional exchanges, and capacity building.
Pakistan has historically provided military training and technical assistance to Libyan defence personnel, reflecting long-standing institutional links between the two countries.
Defence cooperation is viewed as part of broader bilateral engagement aimed at supporting stability and professional development.
Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, visited Libya last month and held high-level meetings with Libya’s military leadership aimed at strengthening bilateral defence cooperation, with a focus on training, capacity building, and counter-terrorism.
Pakistan has steadily emerged as a key provider of counter-terrorism training and military capacity-building for friendly countries across the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, and East Asia, drawing on its extensive operational experience against militant networks.
