Pakistan Hosts Libya’s Army Chief and PM; Could $4 Billion Arms Deal Be Finalized?

Islamabad/Tripoli: Pakistan is intensifying efforts to strengthen defense ties with Libya, with Army Chief General Asim Munir playing a key role in facilitating discussions. According to the Pakistani military, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, Commander of the Libyan National Army, met General Munir in Rawalpindi on Monday. The meeting also included Libya’s Eastern Government Prime Minister Osama Sad Hammad, focusing on military cooperation and regional security.

The visit comes weeks after a rumored $4 billion arms deal between the two countries was reportedly agreed upon, highlighting Islamabad’s push to expand its defense exports to Libya.

Details of the Deal
The deal, first negotiated during General Munir’s December visit to Benghazi, is said to involve Pakistan supplying Libya with:

• 16 JF-17 Thunder multirole fighter jets (produced in collaboration with China)
• 12 Mushshak trainer aircraft
• Various drones and other military equipment for ground and naval forces

If executed fully, this would mark Pakistan’s first export of JF-17 fighter jets to an Arab nation.

Sanctions and Verification Concerns
Libya has been under UN arms embargoes since 2011, meaning any transfer of weapons requires explicit approval from the United Nations. It remains unclear whether Pakistan or Libya has sought exemption from these restrictions. Pakistani media reports claim the $4 billion defense deal is finalized, but no official confirmation has yet been issued.

During his December visit, General Munir reportedly misrepresented some details regarding the origin of the JF-17 jets, claiming them as fully indigenous while they were developed with Chinese collaboration. Several other statements about Pakistan’s defense technology have also been scrutinized.

Significance of the Visit
The presence of both Libya’s army chief and prime minister underscores the importance of military and strategic ties between the two countries. Analysts suggest the visit could accelerate the implementation of the deal, pending international regulatory approval.