Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu is visiting Pakistan for three days at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marking the first visit by a Maldivian president to the country in 11 years.
The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the Maldives, established in 1966, and is expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation across several sectors.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, President Muizzu is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour. He will also hold restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The discussions are expected to cover the full range of bilateral relations, with both sides exploring opportunities to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, healthcare, education, tourism, agriculture, defence, maritime security, climate change and people-to-people exchanges.
The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest, the Foreign Office said.
A Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum will be organised during the visit to encourage engagement between the business communities of both countries and identify new opportunities for trade and investment.
Several agreements and memorandums of understanding covering different areas of bilateral cooperation are also expected to be signed, according to the Foreign Office.
The proposed arrangements are aimed at broadening economic links and strengthening collaboration between Islamabad and Male.
Ahead of President Muizzu’s arrival, a Maldivian delegation led by Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam reached Islamabad on Tuesday.
The delegation includes cabinet ministers and senior officials and was received at the airport by Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, the director general for South Asia and SAARC, the Maldivian high commissioner to Pakistan and Pakistan’s high commissioner to the Maldives.
The delegation’s early arrival is part of preparations for the high-level meetings and engagements scheduled during the presidential visit.
The last visit to Pakistan by a Maldivian president took place in May 2015, when former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom undertook a two-day state visit on May 6 and 7 at the invitation of then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
President Muizzu’s visit comes at a significant milestone in Pakistan-Maldives relations, with both countries seeking to expand cooperation and reinforce longstanding diplomatic ties.
