Middle East Monitoring Desk Islamabad
Pakistan and Lebanon have signed MoU on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons, signed by the respective Interior Ministers. The MoU provides a legal framework for convicted nationals to serve the remainder of their sentences in their home countries.
This MoU has been signed in the two days visit of H.E. Mr. Ahmad Al-Hajjar, Minister of Interior and Municipalities of Lebanon who visited Islamabad on 14-15 Sep 2026. He called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif where the two interior ministers signed the MoU.
The Lebanese Minister was accompanied by the Ambassador of Lebanon to Pakistan Abdulaziz Issa, Major General Raed Abdallah, Director General, Internal Security Forces and Brigadier General Sami Nassif, Brigadier General Mahmoud Kobrosly.
It is strange why the two countries had signed this only MoU and not any other when there is no such matter disturbing any country. The citizens of both countries very rarely visit to respective states. The MoU in such situation when their is no contact between the people of both countries gives rise to the impression that there may have been some suspicous travels or financial transactions.
Late Lebanese Prime Minister Rafic Hariri brokered the 2000 exile agreement that saved former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from a life prison sentence following General Pervez Musharraf’s 1999 military coup.
The President Zardari , in a separte meeting, however mentioned disaster preparedness, emergency response, urban search and rescue, emergency communications and humanitarian logistics as the potential sectors for bilateral cooperation but it was just a suggestion and not any MoU.
The Prime Minister welcomed the Lebanese Interior Minister, reaffirming the longstanding fraternal ties between the two countries. He also conveyed his warm wishes to the Lebanese leadership.
The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction over growing cooperation in interior and security affairs.
The Prime Minister condemned, in the strongest terms, Israel’s aggression against Lebanon, and conveyed deep sympathy over the loss of precious lives and property caused by the attacks. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Lebanese leadership and people during these difficult times, and reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Lebanese Interior Minister thanked the Prime Minister for the warm reception and reaffirmed Lebanon’s desire to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with Pakistan.
President Zardari calls for stronger Pakistan-Lebanon cooperation in security, law enforcement
President Asif Ali Zardari called for further strengthening Pakistan-Lebanon cooperation, particularly in the fields of internal security, law enforcement and counter-narcotics.
He was talking to Ahmad Al Hajjar, Minister of Interior and Municipalities of the Lebanese Republic, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The President expressed concern over continuing instability and hostilities in Lebanon and the wider Middle East and their humanitarian and security consequences. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity and said Pakistan supports diplomatic efforts for de-escalation, sustainable peace and resolution of disputes through dialogue and in accordance with international law.
He expressed hope that the engagement would provide fresh momentum to Pakistan-Lebanon cooperation and establish a stronger foundation for sustained collaboration.
Mr Ahmad Al Hajjar expressed his appreciation for Pakistan’s support for Lebanon and the role Pakistan has played in the region. He emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fields of security and law enforcement.
Ambassador of Lebanon to Pakistan Abdulaziz Issa, Major General Raed Abdallah, Director General, Internal Security Forces and Brigadier General Sami Nassif, Brigadier General Mahmoud Kobrosly were also present.
Mr. Ahmad Al Hajjar, called on Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces (COAS & CDF) at GHQ, Rawalpindi, during his two-day visit to Pakistan.
During the meeting, both dignitaries exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, the evolving regional security environment and prospects for further enhancing bilateral relations in security domain. The importance of strengthening institutional linkages and fostering greater cooperation between the two countries’ security institutions was also emphasised.
COAS & CDF reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Lebanon and expressed the desire to further expand mutually beneficial cooperation in areas of shared interest.
The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s contributions towards regional peace and stability and acknowledged the professionalism and sacrifices of the Pakistan Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism.
Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Minister of State for Interior and Narcotics Control Senator Talal Chaudhry and Senator Saleem Mandviwalla were present during the meeting.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi Holds One-on-One Meeting with Lebanese Counterpart; Delegation-Level Talks Also Held
Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar visited the Ministry of Interior, where Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi warmly welcomed his Lebanese counterpart.
The Lebanese Interior Minister held a one-on-one meeting with Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, followed by delegation-level talks between the Interior Ministers of Pakistan and Lebanon.
The talks focused on enhancing cooperation in the areas of security, counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, prevention of illegal immigration, money laundering, and cybercrime.
The two sides also discussed promoting collaboration between police academies and training programmes. The meeting also covered the regional situation and Pakistan’s efforts for sustainable peace in the region.
It was decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two Ministries of Interior at the earliest to further promote mutual cooperation. It was also agreed that focal persons would be appointed to enhance bilateral coordination.
The two sides agreed on intelligence sharing to counter terrorists and drug mafias and to effectively address emerging security challenges. It was also decided to fully implement the MoU in the field of counter-narcotics.
Both Interior Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Lebanon.The two sides also discussed providing visa-free entry facilities for holders of diplomatic and official passports of the two countries.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on the occasion that he hoped the Lebanese Interior Minister’s visit would open new avenues of cooperation between the two countries.
The Lebanese Interior Minister thanked his Pakistani counterpart, Mohsin Naqvi, for the warm hospitality extended during his visit to Pakistan.
Lebanese Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar said that Pakistan is a brotherly country and that Lebanon wants to further advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest, particularly internal security. He said that both countries could benefit from each other’s experiences.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Federal Secretary Interior, Chairman NADRA, Director General FIA, Director General ANF, Inspector General Federal Constabulary, Director General Passports and Immigration, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Inspector General Islamabad Police, Director General National Forensics Agency, Special Secretary and Additional Secretaries Interior, and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.
