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PM REAFFIRMS PAKISTAN–LIBYA TIES AS TOP LIBYAN LEADERSHIP HOLDS HIGH-LEVEL TALKS
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Wednesday, 4 February, 2026 | 15 Sha’ban, 1447
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PREMIER SHEHBAZ MEETS LIBYAN PM OSAMA SAAD HAMAD, FM KHALIFA HAFTAR AND LT GEN SADDAM HAFTAR
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XVI No 211 | 8 Pages | Islamabad Edition
TALKS FOCUS ON BILATERAL COOPERATION, PEACE AND REGIONAL STABILITY AS PAKISTAN VOWS TO DEEPEN FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH LIBYA
BOTH SIDES REACH UNDERSTANDING TO MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACT, EXPAND COLLABORATION IN MULTIPLE FIELDS INCLUDING MILITARY ENGAGEMENT
Kazakhstan President arrives on two-day visit with agenda to bolster bilateral ties RAWALPINDI
Staff report
P
ISLAMABAD
Staff report
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering friendly relations with Libya as a high-level Libyan delegation called on him at the Prime Minister’s House, state media reported. According to state-broadcaster PTV, the delegation comprised Libyan Prime Minister Dr Osama Saad Hamad, Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces Field Marshal Khalifa Abu-al-Qasim Haftar, and Deputy Com-
mander-in-Chief Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), HJ, were also present during the meeting. “During the discussions, both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations,” PTV said. The meeting reflected a shared desire to enhance cooperation in areas of common concern and to promote peace, stability and development at regional and international levels, it added.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday warmly received the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, upon his arrival at Nur Khan Airbase. President Tokayev arrived in Pakistan for a two-day official visit (Feb 3–4, 2026) aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations. Pakistan and Kazakhstan maintain friendly diplomatic relations, with Kazakhstan being Pakistan’s top export destination among Central Asian countries. The Kazakh president was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior cabinet ministers and other top officials. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar along with federal ministers were also present to welcome the visiting dignitary.
During the meeting, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering friendly relations with Libya
Children dressed in traditional attire, carrying the national flags of both Pakistan and Kazakhstan, added a vibrant welcome for President Tokayev. A 21-gun salute was presented in his honour, highlighting the ceremonial significance of the visit. During his stay, President Tokayev is scheduled to meet President Zardari, hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and address the PakistanKazakhstan Business Forum, focusing on trade, logistics, regional connectivity, and people-to-people contacts. On his arrival, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to X, posting that he was “delighted” to welcome the Kazakh President. “I look forward to our meaningful and productive engagements tomorrow. The Pakistan-Kazakhstan friendship is a time-tested partnership that continues to bring our peoples closer together. This visit marks a new milestone in our glorious journey,” he said.
and emphasised the importance of continued engagement and dialogue.
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Five nations interested in Pakistan’s JF-17 fighter: Report ISTANBUL agencieS
Five countries are reportedly considering the purchase of JF-17 fighter jets from Pakistan, Bloomberg reported Tuesday. Last month, Iraq, Bangladesh, and Indonesia expressed interest in acquiring the aircraft, according to Pakistan’s Armed Forces. Saudi Arabia and Libya are also weighing potential procurements, the report said. So far, the JF-17 has only been sold to Azerbaijan, Nigeria, and Myanmar, the latter being the first buyer. Pakistan manufactures approximately 58% of the aircraft, including the airframe, while China supplies the avionics, accounting for the remaining 42% of production. The engines are produced by the Russian company Klimov. The recent international interest in the Pakistan-China joint fighter comes after the conflict last May, during which Islamabad said that it shot down several Indian jets over four days. India has acknowledged losing aircraft in the fighting, but did not specify a number. New Delhi also claimed to have destroyed several Pakistani jets, a claim Pakistan denies. The JF-17 Thunder is a lightweight, all-weather fighter jet jointly produced by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex near Islamabad and China’s AVIC Chengdu facility in the country’s southwest. The program was launched under a 1999 agreement. Pakistan currently manufactures about 16–18 JF-17s annually, with each aircraft priced between $40 million and $50 million.