TAZEEN AKHTAR from ISLAMABAD
To the astonishment of many in the world, Pakistan signed the largest ever defence equipment sale deal of worth between USD 4 to 4.6 Billion with Defecto regime in Eastern Libya despite UN embargo. The agreement includes equipments for all three wings of Haftar’s military including JF-17 Thunder and Super Mushak (Mushhaq) trainer jets. The number is said to be 16 Jets JF-17 Thunder and 12 Super Mushak and some 44 tanks as well but it is not confirmed. Most important , there is no clarification from any side that , Pakistani Jets or drones or other weapons will not be used within Libya , against Tripoli.
The LNA’s official media has confirmed a defense cooperation pact with Pakistan covering weapons sales, joint training, and military manufacturing. “We announce the launch of a new phase of strategic military cooperation with Pakistan,” Haftar said in remarks broadcast on Sunday by Al-Hadath television.
The U.N. arms embargo on Libya has been in place since 2011. Pakistani officials said the agreement does not violate U.N. restrictions, though it remains unclear whether any exemptions were requested or approved.
The two sides said they will work together to face security threats and terrorism. Plans include joint military training, cooperation in defense manufacturing, and sharing modern technology such as drones, cybersecurity tools, and advanced defense systems.
Haftar also invited Pakistani companies to take part in rebuilding Libya, especially in energy, infrastructure, and mining. He expressed hope that Pakistan will open a consulate in Benghazi to support business and trade.
The Libyan sources have qouted some Pakistani officers as : One of the officials said Pakistan is not the only country to make defense deals with Libya. Another said there are no international sanctions on Khalifa Haftar, while a third noted that authorities in Benghazi (Eastern region) are seeing improving relations with Western governments, driven in part by rising fuel exports.
Apprently, Libyan media in Benghazi have questioned to the same officers who are part of the delegation of Field Marshal Pakistan. Otherwise, ISPR , DPR Pakistan Air Force and Navy remained silent on the development.
It is also questionable here that : Pakistan is having this big deal despite UN embargo here but in case of Iran, when we ask , why we can not import cheap petroleum from Iran? we are convinced by officials as ” Iran is under US sanctions”. So UN embargo is small thing for Pakistan and one country US sanctions a big thing.
Earlier the deal was made revealed through a website “Times of Islamabad” and not by the concerned ISPR in Pakistan , that Pakistan and Benghazi are in the process of signing a major defense pact that could include the supply of 16 to 18 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, in a deal estimated to be worth several billion dollars.
Another big question is, Pakistan does not recognize Tobruk / Benghazi regime of Self Styled Field Marshal. Pakistan’s embassy serves in Libya of Tripoli where UN recognized Gov is working. How Pakistan will manage this extraordinary deal and how will convince the world on engagements like the visit of Saddam Haftar to Pakistan and now this reciprocal visit of FM General Asim, this remains unclear.
Here it is also worth mentioning that FM COAS Pakistan was in Benghazi on 18 Dec while Turkish Defense Minister, Yaşar Güler was in Tripoli , the rival side , UN recognized, on 20 Dec.
Turkish minister revealed that the Turkish army is continuing its activities in Libya in the areas of military training, support, cooperation, and consultation. This makes unique dynamics in defence of whole Libya where Pakistan and Turkiye are supporting two rivals while both are “One Nation Two States” otherwise.
In press statements he made on Saturday, Güler added that his country aims to establish a unified Libyan state that enjoys territorial integrity and political cohesion, and lives in an atmosphere of peace, tranquillity, and stability.
The minister also noted that there is tangible progress towards unifying Libya, thanks to the dialogue and efforts undertaken by Ankara with all Libyan parties, within a policy based on clear principles.
Here question rises, if Turkiye says a unified Libya is in the offing, why Haftar is buying the lethal weapons and for who? Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia – left and right neighbors have no military designs , North is Mediterranean, South is Sudan , itself marred with crisis and almost same situation, two rival militaries confrontation and Chad is not in a position to create any challenge.
Foreign Ministers of Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia discuss Libya developments
Pakistan has been seeking to expand defense exports and position itself as a supplier outside Western defense systems, citing operational experience and recent air force performance. The Libya agreement would significantly expand Pakistan’s footprint in North Africa, where regional and international powers continue to compete for influence.
A joint cooperation agreement was signed between the Defecto Libyan Armed Forces of General Haftar and the Pakistani Army, in the presence of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar, and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir. This agreement aims to strengthen military and security ties to enhance regional stability.
The Libyan sources shared : The agreement reportedly includes military equipment for air, land, and sea, spread over about two and a half years. As per documents seen list JF-17 fighter jets and Super Mushak trainer aircraft, though exact quantities were not confirmed. Officials estimated the deal’s value at between $4 billion and $4.6 billion, making it one of Pakistan’s largest-ever arms export agreements.
The report follows a visit by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to Benghazi, where he met with Khalifa Haftar to discuss strengthening cooperation in training and capacity building, with a focus on providing Haftar’s forces with advanced defense platforms, according to the newspaper.
The Libyan Observer, a Tripoli based media outlet noted on 22 Dec on its social media page , “Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir vows to militarize militia groups of Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, saying all military equipment and technology of his country are available at the doorstep of Haftar, a move that could drag Libya into instability.”
This media also noted : ” Pakistan to add fuel to the Libyan fire, arming Haftar, in violation of UN arms embargo, to spoil fragile peace in the country and encourage the rogue general to conduct reckless acts similar to his 2019 attack on Tripoli.”
A copy of the deal, before it was finalized, that was seen by Reuters listed the purchase of 16 JF-17 fighter jets, a multi-role combat aircraft that has been jointly developed by Pakistan and China, and 12 Super Mushak trainer aircraft, used for basic pilot training.
One Pakistani official confirmed the list was accurate, while a second said the arms on the list were all part of the deal but could not provide exact numbers.
One Pakistani official said the deal included the sale of equipment for land, sea, and air, spread over 2-1/2 years, and added that it could also include the JF-17 fighter jets.
Two officials said the deal was valued at more than $4 billion, while the other two said it was $4.6 billion.
The UN-recognized Government of National Unity, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, controls much of western Libya, while Haftar’s LNA controls the east and south, including major oilfields, and does not recognize the western government’s authority.
https://pakistanintheworld.pk/live/pakistan-in-the-world-nov-2025/
