Maldives President Muizzu Visits Pakistan, 20 MoUs Signed

Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a three-day state visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. On Wednesday, Sharif welcomed Muizzu at the Prime Minister’s House, where the visiting president received a guard of honour and the two leaders exchanged pleasantries.

The visit marks the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years and coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations established in 1966. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also met Muizzu ahead of the main leadership talks, conveying greetings from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Sharif.

“There is no doubt that the two countries will keep on strengthening these relations for all time to come.”

The two sides signed 20 wide-ranging memorandums of understanding covering trade, investment, education, tourism, climate change, defence, police training and health. Addressing a joint press stakeout, Sharif vowed to strengthen bilateral relations “for all time to come.”

Prime Minister Sharif announced that both countries agreed to increase bilateral trade from $13.9 million to $200 million over the next two years. He described current trade as just a fraction of the two nations’ potential and said their ties do not reflect the true strength of economic cooperation.

President Muizzu thanked Pakistan for its hospitality and expressed interest in deepening relations with Islamabad. The discussions also covered regional and international issues, with both sides seeking practical economic and development opportunities.