Pakistan, Lebanon agree to deepen diplomatic, security ties

Lebanon’s Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar held a series of meetings with senior Pakistani officials in Islamabad on Tuesday, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation in security, law enforcement and diplomatic ties.

Al-Hajjar was received by Dar at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Naqvi and Talal Chaudhry were also present along with senior MoFA officers, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on X.

Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and expressed a desire to further strengthen bilateral ties, including cooperation in law enforcement and people-to-people contacts.

The two ministers discussed Pakistan-Lebanon relations and law-enforcement cooperation, and welcomed the signing of the Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons as an important milestone in bilateral legal cooperation. They also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.

Al-Hajjar appreciated Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace and stability and congratulated Pakistan on the signing of the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. Both sides expressed a desire to further expand bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

The Lebanese dignitary earlier called on Naqvi in a separate meeting at the Interior Ministry, where the two ministers held one-on-one talks followed by delegation-level discussions on bilateral security cooperation and counter-terrorism.

The two sides agreed to broaden cooperation against terrorism, drug smuggling, illegal immigration, money laundering and cybercrime, and to strengthen intelligence sharing against terrorists and drug networks. They also discussed cooperation between police academies, the regional situation, and Pakistan’s efforts to promote lasting peace in the region.

The two countries agreed to soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between their interior ministries and to appoint focal persons to enhance bilateral cooperation, while affirming full implementation of an existing MoU on counter-narcotics. They also discussed a proposal to allow visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic and official passports.

Naqvi termed the visit a welcome development, while al-Hajjar thanked Pakistan for its hospitality, saying Lebanon considers Pakistan a brotherly country and wants to benefit from mutual experience in internal security.

The Interior Ministry meeting was also attended by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, the federal interior secretary, NADRA Chairman, and senior officials including the DG FIA, DG ANF, IG Federal Constabulary, National Coordinator NACTA, DG Passports and Immigration, Chief Commissioner Islamabad, IG Islamabad Police, and DG National Forensic Agency.