Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu will begin a three-day state visit to Pakistan on October 20 at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, and maritime security as both nations mark six decades of diplomatic ties.
ISLAMABAD, October 18: Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu is scheduled to undertake a three-day state visit to Pakistan starting October 20, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday.
According to an official statement issued by the Foreign Office in Islamabad, the high-level diplomatic visit comes at the formal invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. President Muizzu will travel accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed alongside a senior delegation comprising cabinet ministers and top government officials. The upcoming diplomatic engagement marks the first official state visit by a Maldivian head of state to Pakistan in eleven years, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Malé, which dates back to 1966.
During his stay in the Pakistani capital, President Muizzu is scheduled to hold formal discussions with President Asif Ali Zardari, who will also host an official state banquet in honor of the visiting leader and his delegation. In addition to ceremonial engagements, the Maldivian president will participate in restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to evaluate the current state of bilateral ties and map out future diplomatic strategies.
Foreign Office spokespersons noted that the high-level discussions will encompass the entire spectrum of bilateral relations. Both governments intend to explore new avenues for enhancing practical cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, foreign investment, public health, education, tourism, agriculture, defense, maritime security, climate change adaptation, and enhanced people-to-people exchanges. Furthermore, the two leaders are expected to exchange comprehensive assessments on key regional and international developments of mutual concern.
Pakistan Maldives Business Forum and Agreements
As part of the official itinerary, a dedicated Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum will be convened concurrently with the presidential visit. The business forum is designed to facilitate direct commercial interaction between the private business communities of both South Asian nations, allowing corporate leaders to identify lucrative commercial opportunities, joint ventures, and avenues for bilateral investment.
Diplomatic sources indicated that the visit is expected to culminate in the formal signing of several bilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding. These accords will cover a diverse array of fields aimed at cementing institutional frameworks and fostering closer partnership between the two administrations.
The Foreign Office emphasized that the Maldives and Pakistan share a longstanding relationship grounded in shared cultural heritage, mutual respect, and close coordination at regional and multilateral forums. The upcoming visit reflects a mutual dedication to deepening bilateral engagement and opening innovative channels for cooperative growth. Previous high-level exchanges include former Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s two-day state visit to Pakistan in May 2015 at the invitation of then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
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