Pakistan, Lebanon Agree to Boost Intelligence Sharing, Security Ties
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — WEB DESK: Pakistan and Lebanon agreed on Tuesday to strengthen intelligence sharing and expand security cooperation as the two countries seek closer coordination against terrorism, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
The agreement was reached during talks in Islamabad between Pakistan’s Interior and Narcotics Control Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Lebanese Interior and Municipalities Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar, who is visiting Pakistan on a two-day official trip.
The two ministers first held a one-on-one meeting before leading delegation-level talks at the Ministry of Interior.
According to Pakistan’s Interior Ministry, discussions covered counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, money laundering and cybercrime, alongside broader cooperation in internal security.
Both countries agreed to strengthen intelligence sharing to tackle security challenges more effectively and intensify action against terrorist groups and drug networks. Pakistan’s state broadcaster independently confirmed the agreement following the delegation-level negotiations.
The two sides also discussed greater cooperation between their police academies and training programmes, allowing law-enforcement personnel to benefit from each other’s expertise and operational experience.
A further institutional step is also planned. Pakistan and Lebanon agreed to sign a new memorandum of understanding between their interior ministries, while focal persons will be appointed on both sides to improve communication and bilateral coordination.
Officials also agreed to fully implement an existing memorandum covering counter-narcotics cooperation. Discussions additionally included the possibility of visa-free entry for holders of diplomatic and official passports from the two countries.
Naqvi expressed hope that Al-Hajjar’s visit would open new avenues for cooperation. The Lebanese minister described Pakistan as a brotherly country and said Beirut wanted to deepen bilateral ties, particularly in internal security.
The security discussions form part of a wider diplomatic engagement during Al-Hajjar’s visit.
President Asif Ali Zardari separately called for stronger Pakistan-Lebanon cooperation in internal security, law enforcement and counter-narcotics. He also proposed greater collaboration on extradition, mutual legal assistance, disaster preparedness, emergency response and humanitarian logistics.
Al-Hajjar also met Field Marshal Asim Munir, with the two sides discussing the evolving regional security environment and stronger institutional ties between Pakistani and Lebanese security organisations.
Pakistan has simultaneously reaffirmed its support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity amid continuing instability in the Middle East.
The latest agreements indicate that Islamabad and Beirut are seeking to move beyond general diplomatic cooperation toward more structured operational coordination between their security and law-enforcement institutions.
