Saturday 24 Oct 2026
Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu (L) and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (R) in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 21, 2026. (Photo/President's Office)
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed have returned to Malé after concluding their state visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.
The visit from October 20 to October 22, coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Pakistan, providing an opportunity to strengthen longstanding ties and expand cooperation in key areas of mutual interest.
During the visit, President Muizzu held official talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz and met Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. He also held meetings with senior Pakistani officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar; Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir; Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq; and Chairman of the Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani.
The discussions reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on trade and investment, health, education, tourism, fisheries and agriculture, youth and sports, defence and security, and regional and multilateral cooperation.
President Muizzu and Prime Minister Shehbaz witnessed the exchange of 20 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at enhancing cooperation across various sectors. Both countries also pledged to increase bilateral trade to USD 200 million within the next two years.
Speaking at the Maldives–Pakistan Business Forum 2026 in Islamabad, President Muizzu invited Pakistani businesses to establish long-term partnerships with the Maldives and explore investment opportunities in food security, healthcare, construction, engineering, renewable energy and Islamic finance.
He also announced that the national airline, Maldivian, aims to launch direct flights between Malé and Karachi in the near future, improving connectivity and opening up further opportunities for trade and tourism.
The visit also included engagements aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties and cooperation in education, healthcare, culture and environmental protection. Pakistan pledged support for the Maldives’ five-million-tree initiative by contributing 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds from various plant species.
The state visit concluded with both countries reaffirming their commitment to turning the agreements and understandings reached into tangible benefits for their people, building on six decades of friendship and cooperation.
President Muizzu and the First Lady were accompanied by a high-level Maldivian delegation comprising cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
