Pakistan and the Maldives have agreed to expand bilateral trade to $200 million within two years as the two countries exchanged 20 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) across a range of sectors during Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s official visit to Islamabad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed President Muizzu at the Prime Minister’s House, where the visiting leader received a Guard of Honour. The visit, the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years, is expected to give fresh momentum to bilateral relations that have developed over six decades.
Shehbaz and Muizzu attended a ceremony for the exchange of 20 MoUs and agreements aimed at expanding cooperation across various fields. The documents cover economic, technological, security, healthcare, education, agriculture, social development and cultural ties.
The agreements include cooperation in information technology, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as drug control and social protection. The two sides also agreed to strengthen collaboration between the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan and the Maldives Food and Drug Authority.
Other MoUs cover the recruitment of medical professionals, defence cooperation, maritime security, agriculture and fisheries. The countries also exchanged documents on technical and vocational training, higher education, youth and sports development, air connectivity, fine arts, culture and heritage, and cooperation between their civil service commissions.
The agreements are intended to translate longstanding diplomatic relations into practical cooperation and create opportunities for institutions, businesses and professionals in both countries.
Trade target set at $200m within two years
Addressing the joint engagement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and the Maldives had agreed to increase bilateral trade from its current volume of $13 million to $200 million within two years. He stressed that efforts to expand trade would be accelerated and that both governments were determined to implement the MoUs concluded during the visit.
President Muizzu also highlighted the trade target, saying joint efforts would be made to achieve the $200 million goal over the next two years. He said the Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum would open new avenues for trade and economic cooperation.
The Maldivian president said both countries had reaffirmed their commitment to taking bilateral relations to new heights. He called for giving cooperation a new dimension by making better use of existing opportunities.
The two leaders discussed expanding economic collaboration and cooperation in several other sectors. President Muizzu said the discussions with Shehbaz Sharif covered ways to strengthen ties in trade, education, health and other fields.
Shehbaz highlights education and healthcare links
Prime Minister Sharif described the discussions with President Muizzu as constructive and positive, saying the two sides had explored opportunities to broaden cooperation in economic affairs, defence and other areas.
He noted that a large number of Maldivian students were pursuing their education at Pakistani institutions. Pakistani doctors and allied medical staff were also serving people in the Maldives, reflecting the existing links between the two countries.
Shehbaz said Pakistan, as a brotherly country, would be pleased to help meet the Maldives’ additional needs. He also announced that Pakistan would provide technical assistance to the Maldives in the information technology sector.
The prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and ensuring the implementation of the agreements reached during the visit. He expressed hope that President Muizzu’s trip would give relations between the two countries a new direction.
President Muizzu, meanwhile, said cooperation would be expanded through Pakistan’s technical assistance programmes. He also called for wider exchanges of delegations under a youth exchange programme and stressed the importance of modern technology, including AI and digitisation.
The Maldivian president also identified climate change as a threat to security, urging both countries to take advantage of available opportunities and give their bilateral cooperation a new dimension.
Maldives thanks Pakistan for warm welcome
President Muizzu thanked the government and people of Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
He said Pakistan and the Maldives had maintained 60 years of diplomatic relations based on mutual cooperation. He added that his discussions with the Pakistani leadership had reaffirmed both sides’ determination to expand cooperation and further strengthen their longstanding partnership.
The talks also covered regional and global developments, with both countries discussing issues of shared interest.
President Muizzu receives Guard of Honour
President Muizzu received a formal welcome at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif greeted him on arrival, and the two leaders shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.
The national anthems of Pakistan and the Maldives were played during the ceremony. Contingents from the three armed forces presented a salute and Guard of Honour to the visiting president, with Shehbaz Sharif accompanying him on the saluting dais as he inspected the guard.
The prime minister introduced members of his cabinet and senior officials of the Prime Minister’s House to President Muizzu, who in turn introduced members of his delegation to Shehbaz Sharif.
President Muizzu also planted a sapling on the lawns of the Prime Minister’s House. Prayers were offered for the progress and prosperity of both nations.
Shehbaz said relations between Pakistan and the Maldives had strengthened across several sectors over the years, describing the president’s visit after an 11-year gap as particularly significant.
Islamic University confers honorary doctorate
During his visit, President Muizzu was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by the International Islamic University, Islamabad.
The degree was conferred in recognition of his dedicated efforts towards the development of the Maldives. Muizzu described the honour as a source of pride for the people of his country.
The ceremony formed another key part of the visit, which focused on strengthening institutional, educational and diplomatic links between Pakistan and the Maldives.
Shehbaz reiterates Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir
Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s support for the peaceful resolution of disputes, stressing that the Kashmir issue must be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
He said Pakistan remained committed to a peaceful settlement of the long-standing dispute and maintained that the wishes of the Kashmiri people must be central to any resolution.
The prime minister’s remarks reaffirmed Pakistan’s stated position that the issue should be settled through peaceful means and in line with international commitments.
Pakistan warns against using water as weapon
Shehbaz also expressed deep concern over India’s unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, describing the move as unacceptable. He said all countries had a responsibility to honour and implement internationally recognised agreements.
The prime minister said water could not be allowed to become a weapon under any circumstances, warning that Pakistan would not tolerate attempts to block its share of water.
“Water is our red line,” Shehbaz Sharif said, reiterating that any attempt to withhold Pakistan’s water share would be considered an act of war.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the Maldives had extended full support to Pakistan’s position on Palestine. He reiterated that Pakistan supported the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state and would continue to uphold that position.
The discussions on Palestine, Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty formed part of broader exchanges between the two leaders on regional and international issues.
