Pakistan Maldives relations are set for a high-level push as Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu visits Pakistan from October 20 to 22, the Foreign Office (FO, the ministry that handles diplomacy) said. The three-day state visit comes as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic ties first established in 1966, and is the first such presidential trip from Male to Islamabad in eleven years.
Muizzu is travelling at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He will be accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation of cabinet ministers and senior officials, according to the FO statement.
Meetings planned in Islamabad
During the visit, Muizzu will call on President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour. He will also hold restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz.
The FO said the leaders will review the full range of bilateral ties and look at cooperation in trade, investment, health, education, tourism, agriculture, defence, maritime security, climate change and people-to-people exchanges. They will also discuss regional and international issues of shared interest.
Business forum and expected agreements
The programme includes a Pakistan–Maldives Business Forum meant to bring the two business communities closer and open new trade and investment opportunities. A number of agreements and memorandums of understanding covering different areas of cooperation are also expected to be signed.
The FO described the relationship as warm and rooted in shared faith, mutual respect and longstanding goodwill, including cooperation at regional and international forums. It said the visit reflects a shared commitment to deepen the partnership for mutual benefit.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- 1966: Pakistan and the Maldives establish diplomatic relations.
- September (five-day visit): Maldives People’s Majlis Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdullah visits Pakistan at the invitation of National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq; both sides agree to strengthen parliamentary ties and people-to-people contacts. Abdullah praises Pakistan’s stance on Palestine and Kashmir and reaffirms Maldivian interest in closer legislative cooperation.
- October 20–22: President Mohamed Muizzu is scheduled for a state visit to Pakistan, with meetings with the president and prime minister, a business forum, and expected agreements.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Maldives ke President Mohamed Muizzu 20 se 22 October Pakistan aa rahe hain. Yeh daura dono mulkon ke 60 saal ke rishton ki yaad mein khaas hai. Donon taraf ke leaders tijarat, defence aur doosre mamlaat par baat karenge. Aam logon ke liye is ka matlab hai ke tourism, business aur education jaise rabton ke naye mauqe khulne ki ummeed hai.
