Islamabad: 03 February 2026 – The Libyan delegation included H.E. Dr. Osama Saad Hamad, Prime Minister of the Libyan Government, Field Marshal Khalifa Abu-al-Qasim Haftar, Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces and Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, COAS & CDF, were also present during the meeting.
A senior Libyan delegation, led by Osama Saad Hamad, Prime Minister of Eastern region based Libyan Government, and Field Marshall Khalifa Belgasim Haftar, Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces in Eastern and Southern region, held a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Staff Asim Munir.
Although not announced as a formal recognition, a direct prime minister–to–prime minister meeting is a clear sign that the Pakistani government acknowledges Libya’s Eastern Region–based government.
During the discussions, both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations. The meeting reflected the shared desire to enhance cooperation in areas of common concern and to promote peace, stability, and development at regional and international levels.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering friendly relations with Libya and emphasized the importance of continued engagement and dialogue. The Libyan leadership appreciated Pakistan’s role and expressed interest in expanding collaboration between the two countries.
The meeting concluded with an understanding to maintain close contact and explore avenues for future cooperation.
Libyan media reported, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Sharif said his country wanted to foster relations with Libya’s eastern warlord Khalifa Haftar and his self-styled government of Hammad, during a meeting in Islamabad today.
Sharif welcomed Haftar and his delegation in his office, where they exchanged prospects of cooperation between the two sides, including the potential multi-billion-dollar deal to sell weapons and arms to Haftar, a move seen by economists as a Pakistani plan to repay its international debts.
The Pakistani reception of Libya’s parallel government of Hammad is a clear recognition of the Benghazi-based administration over the Tripoli-based UN-recognised government, observers say.
