Pakistan has launched a diplomatic initiative aimed at helping reunify Libya’s rival administrations, according to two Pakistani sources, marking Islamabad’s first known effort to mediate Libya’s long-running political crisis.
According to the sources, Pakistan began facilitating contacts between Libya’s eastern and western authorities late last year after both sides requested its involvement. If successful, the initiative could strengthen Pakistan’s diplomatic profile following its recent role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran.
The mediation comes as Washington continues its own efforts to advance a political settlement in Libya. Pakistani sources said the United States is fully aware of Islamabad’s initiative, while Saudi Arabia has also expressed support for the effort. However, it remains unclear how closely Pakistan is coordinating with other regional and international actors involved in the Libyan file.
According to Reuters, a draft proposal currently under discussion envisions a 36-month transitional power-sharing arrangement under a unified national government and a Presidential Council. Under the reported framework, Abdel-Hamid Dbaiba, head of the interim Government of National Unity (GNU), would continue serving as prime minister during the transitional period, while Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan National Army (LNA), would become president of the Presidential Council.
The proposal reportedly also grants the eastern authorities a significant role in overseeing Libya’s national budget, reflecting the LNA’s control over much of the country’s oil infrastructure.
A Pakistani source said Islamabad intends to play an active role in supporting and preserving any future political agreement, although discussions remain ongoing and no final deal has been reached.