President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif today witnessed the exchange of 20 Memoranda of Understanding between the Government of the Maldives and the Government of Pakistan, significantly expanding bilateral cooperation across a broad range of strategic, economic, social and institutional sectors.
The agreements reflect the growing strength of Maldives-Pakistan relations and the commitment of both governments to translate their longstanding friendship into practical cooperation that can deliver tangible benefits to their peoples. The areas covered include information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, healthcare, social protection, defence, maritime security, agriculture, fisheries, education, vocational training, youth development, sports, air connectivity, tourism, culture, law enforcement, civil service development, trade and environmental cooperation.
An MoU on cooperation in information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, technology and innovation was exchanged by Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The agreement is expected to provide an important framework for expanding technological cooperation, developing digital capabilities and sharing expertise in emerging areas that are increasingly important to national development, public services and economic competitiveness.
Minister Ali Ihusaan also exchanged an MoU with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi on cooperation in combating the illicit trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors. The agreement strengthens cooperation between the two countries in addressing transnational challenges and enhancing institutional coordination in areas linked to national security, law enforcement and public safety.
Cooperation in the social and healthcare sectors was further strengthened through several agreements. Minister of Health, Family and Welfare Geela Ali exchanged an MoU on social protection with Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Human Rights Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar. She also exchanged an MoU covering health cooperation and collaboration between the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan with Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Syed Mustafa Kamal.
A separate MoU on the recruitment of health professionals was exchanged between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain and Minister Geela Ali. The agreement has the potential to support the Maldives in strengthening its healthcare workforce while opening new channels for professional cooperation, knowledge exchange and human-resource development between the two countries.
Defence and maritime cooperation were also given significant emphasis. Minister of Defence and National Service Hassan Rasheed and Pakistan’s Federal Secretary of Defence Lieutenant General (Retired) Mohamed Ali exchanged an MoU on defence cooperation. The two officials also exchanged an MoU on maritime security cooperation, reflecting the importance both countries attach to security, maritime stability and cooperation in the wider Indian Ocean region.
Agriculture and food security formed another important component of the agreements. Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam exchanged an MoU on agricultural cooperation. The agreement is expected to support greater engagement in agricultural knowledge, technical expertise, food security and related fields of mutual interest.
An MoU on fisheries cooperation was exchanged by Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar and Maldives Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed. Fisheries remain one of the Maldives’ most important traditional economic sectors, and enhanced cooperation with Pakistan could contribute to technical development, value addition, market opportunities, capacity building and the exchange of expertise across the fisheries industry.
Education and skills development were also strongly represented in the package of agreements. Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui exchanged an MoU to promote collaboration in technical and vocational education and training through Pakistan’s National Vocational and Technical Training Commission.
An additional MoU was exchanged between the Maldives Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. The document was exchanged by Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef and Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar. The agreement provides an avenue for strengthening higher education links, institutional cooperation, academic exchanges, capacity development and opportunities for Maldivian students and professionals.
Youth and sports cooperation will also be expanded under an MoU exchanged by Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sana Ullah Khan. The agreement supports greater interaction between the two countries in youth development and sports, areas that can help strengthen people-to-people relations while creating opportunities for training, exchanges and joint programmes.
One of the agreements with potentially significant implications for tourism, trade and people-to-people engagement is the MoU on enhancing air connectivity, exchanged by Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade Mohamed Saeed and Pakistan’s Federal Secretary of Defence Lieutenant General (Retired) Mohamed Ali. Improved air connectivity could create greater opportunities for tourists, business travellers, students, professionals and families travelling between the Maldives and Pakistan while supporting stronger commercial links between the two countries.
The expansion of connectivity is particularly important for the Maldives as the Government continues to strengthen the country’s position as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations and broaden access to new and emerging visitor markets. Easier travel links with Pakistan could support greater visitor flows to Maldivian resorts, hotels, guesthouses and tourism-related businesses while creating further opportunities for tourism operators, airlines and travel companies in both countries.
The Maldives offers an internationally recognised tourism product built around its island geography, clear lagoons, white-sand beaches, marine biodiversity and high-quality hospitality. Its resort sector remains central to the national economy, supporting employment, investment, aviation, transport, fisheries, agriculture, construction and a wide range of local businesses. Stronger bilateral air links and tourism cooperation with Pakistan could therefore contribute not only to visitor growth but also to wider economic activity across the Maldivian tourism value chain.
Tourism cooperation itself was formalised through an MoU exchanged by Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sana Ullah Khan. The agreement provides a framework for closer engagement between the two countries in tourism promotion, institutional cooperation, knowledge sharing and the development of opportunities that can encourage greater travel between the Maldives and Pakistan.
For the Maldives, continued diversification of tourism markets remains important as the country expands its global reach and strengthens resilience across the sector. Cooperation with Pakistan provides an opportunity to introduce more travellers to the Maldives’ diverse tourism offerings, ranging from internationally renowned island resorts to locally operated guesthouses, marine experiences and other tourism services across the country.
An MoU on cooperation in arts, culture and heritage was also exchanged by Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi. The agreement is expected to encourage greater cultural interaction and cooperation in preserving and promoting the historical and cultural heritage of both countries.
Institutional cooperation between law enforcement agencies was strengthened through an MoU between the National College of Policy and Law Enforcement of the Maldives Police Service and the National Police Academy in Islamabad. The agreement was exchanged by Maldives High Commissioner to Pakistan Uz. Mohamed Thoha and Commandant of the National Police Academy of Pakistan Saad A. Bharwana. The cooperation can support professional development, training and the exchange of expertise between law enforcement institutions.
The civil services of the two countries are also set to benefit from closer institutional engagement. An MoU between the Civil Service Commission of Maldives and the Federal Public Service Commission of Pakistan was exchanged by FPSC Chairman Lieutenant General (Retired) Akhtar Nawaz Satti and Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations Mohamed Naseer.
A further MoU between the Civil Service Commission of Maldives and Pakistan’s Civil Service Academy was exchanged by Mohamed Naseer and Civil Service Academy Director General Farhan Aziz Khawaja. The agreements are expected to support professional development, training, institutional exchanges and knowledge sharing aimed at strengthening public-sector capacity and governance.
Trade cooperation received additional attention through an MoU between the State Trading Organisation and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan covering cooperation in the trade of agricultural commodities, food and other products. The agreement was exchanged by Maldives High Commissioner to Pakistan Uz. Mohamed Thoha and Trading Corporation of Pakistan Chief Executive Officer Rafeo Bashir Shah.
The agreement involving STO and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan has particular relevance to the Maldives as an import-dependent island economy. Stronger institutional trade links could help diversify supply channels, improve access to essential commodities and create additional opportunities for commercial cooperation between the two countries.
The final MoU exchanged during the programme focused on cooperation in the field of environment. Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Masood Malik and Maldives Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam exchanged the agreement, creating further opportunities for collaboration in an area of critical importance to the Maldives as a low-lying island nation.
The exchange of the 20 MoUs demonstrates the breadth of the relationship being developed between the Maldives and Pakistan under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The agreements extend cooperation beyond traditional diplomatic engagement into sectors that directly influence economic development, public services, security, education, healthcare, tourism, technology, trade and institutional capacity.
For the Maldives, the agreements also support the Government’s broader efforts to deepen international partnerships, attract new opportunities for economic cooperation, strengthen public institutions and expand avenues for human capital development. The inclusion of tourism, air connectivity, fisheries, agriculture, technology and trade gives the cooperation a strong economic dimension, while agreements in health, education, social protection, law enforcement and civil service development can contribute directly to institutional and social development.
The strengthened partnership with Pakistan is expected to create new opportunities for government agencies, businesses, professionals, students and communities in both countries. With cooperation extending across 20 separate areas, the agreements establish a broad platform for sustained engagement and reinforce the growing relationship between the Maldives and Pakistan at both government and people-to-people levels.
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