Maldives President Visits Pakistan as Both Countries Seek to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar during his three-day state visit to Pakistan
ISLAMABAD — Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar during his three-day state visit to Pakistan, with both sides emphasizing stronger cooperation in trade, investment, education, tourism and climate change as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic relations.
President Muizzu was accorded a guard of honour at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday, where he was warmly received by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The national anthems of Pakistan and the Maldives were played during the formal welcome ceremony, after which the Maldivian president reviewed the guard of honour presented by a contingent of Pakistan’s armed forces.
Following the ceremony, the two leaders introduced their respective delegations before holding one-on-one and delegation-level talks. President Muizzu also planted a sapling on the lawns of the Prime Minister’s House.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar called on President Muizzu and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding friendly relations with the Maldives. Dar conveyed greetings and best wishes from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the visiting president.
Dar underscored the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism. He also welcomed the participation of a Maldivian business delegation in the Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum, expressing hope that business-to-business engagements would generate tangible opportunities for trade and investment.
President Muizzu appreciated the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation, expressing the Maldives’ desire to deepen its close relations with Pakistan and explore new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation.
The Maldivian president arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for a three-day state visit, accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation comprising cabinet members and senior officials.
The visit marks the first trip by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years and coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established in 1966.
During the visit, President Muizzu is also scheduled to meet Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour. Several agreements and memorandums of understanding covering various areas of bilateral cooperation are expected to be signed during the visit.