President His Excellency Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed have arrived in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for a State Visit, beginning a significant high-level engagement as the Maldives and Pakistan commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations.
The President and First Lady received a ceremonial welcome upon their arrival at Islamabad International Airport, where a 21-gun salute was accorded in honour of the visiting Maldivian Head of State. President Dr Muizzu is scheduled to receive an official welcome at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad as part of the formal programme of the visit.
The State Visit, taking place from 20 to 22 October 2026, is being undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister of Pakistan His Excellency Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. It represents the first high-level bilateral engagement between the Maldives and Pakistan in more than a decade and provides an important opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their longstanding relationship.
During the visit, President Dr Muizzu is expected to hold high-level discussions with the Pakistani leadership focusing on expanding cooperation across areas of mutual interest. Several Memoranda of Understanding covering different areas of bilateral cooperation are also expected to be exchanged as the two governments explore opportunities to deepen institutional, economic and people-to-people ties.
The visit carries particular significance as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Pakistan. Formal diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 26 July 1966, and the partnership has since developed through cooperation in areas including education, human resource development, trade, tourism and other sectors of mutual interest.
President Dr Muizzu’s visit reflects the Maldives Government’s continued engagement with international partners and its emphasis on strengthening bilateral relationships that can contribute to national development, economic opportunities and broader cooperation. The State Visit is also expected to open further avenues for collaboration between the Maldives and Pakistan while building on six decades of friendly relations between the two countries.
advertisment
advertisment
