Lt. General Haftar Meets Air Chief Marshal Baber, PAF-LAAF to Expand Cooperation

Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI (M), HJ, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, at Air Headquarters today.

#ISPR
Rawalpindi, 02 February, 2026

Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI (M), HJ, Chief of the Air Staff, at Air Headquarters, Islamabad.

The meeting focused… pic.twitter.com/rP5XB2aqlU

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) February 2, 2026

Strengthening Historical and Strategic Ties

The meeting centered on regional security challenges and the advancement of bilateral military cooperation. Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu emphasized the deep-rooted religious and historical bonds between Pakistan and Libya, which serve as the foundation for a robust defense relationship.

The Air Chief briefed the visiting dignitary on the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) strategic transformation, focusing on:

• Operational Readiness: Maintaining high-alert status and multi-domain capabilities.
• Modernization & Indigenization: Reducing reliance on foreign imports through domestic innovation.
• Human Resource Development: Prioritizing advanced training frameworks for next-generation aviators.

Focus on Aerospace Innovation (NASTP)

A significant portion of the visit was dedicated to a briefing on the National Aerospace Science & Technology Park (NASTP). The Libyan delegation was shown how Pakistan is integrating academia, industry, and the military to achieve self-reliance in aerospace technology.

Lieutenant General Saddam Khalifa Haftar lauded the PAF’s high level of professionalism and the rapid technological strides made under the NASTP initiative.

Future Collaborative Framework

Recognizing the shared security interests of both “brotherly nations,” the two leaders agreed to pursue:

• Joint Training Programs: Enhancing the tactical proficiency of the Libyan Air Force through PAF’s established training institutions.
• Professional Exchanges: Regular interaction between technical and operational staff.
• Bilateral Exercises: Conducting joint maneuvers to ensure interoperability.

The visit marks a renewed momentum in defense collaboration, signaling a stronger strategic partnership between Pakistan and Libya in the aerospace domain.