President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have agreed to significantly strengthen economic and bilateral cooperation between the Maldives and Pakistan, with the two countries setting an ambitious target to increase bilateral trade from approximately USD 13 million to USD 200 million within the next two years.
The agreement was highlighted during official talks held today at the Prime Minister House in Pakistan, as part of President Dr Muizzu’s State Visit to the country. The discussions were led by President Dr Muizzu and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and reflected the close and longstanding friendship shared between the Maldives and Pakistan.
During the talks, President Dr Muizzu expressed his appreciation for the warm and generous hospitality extended to the Maldivian delegation throughout the State Visit. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in turn, expressed his pleasure in welcoming President Dr Muizzu and his delegation to Pakistan, reaffirming the importance Pakistan places on its relationship with the Maldives.
The two leaders conducted a broad review of bilateral relations and discussed opportunities to further expand cooperation across a wide range of priority sectors. These included trade and investment, health and education, environmental cooperation, tourism, fisheries and agriculture, youth and sports, defence and security, training and capacity-building, as well as regional and multilateral cooperation.
Economic cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, with both governments expressing their commitment to creating stronger opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries. The target of increasing bilateral trade to USD 200 million within two years reflects the growing determination of both governments to translate their close diplomatic relationship into greater commercial engagement and mutually beneficial economic opportunities.
Tourism was also among the important areas reviewed by the two leaders. As the Maldives continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations, closer engagement with Pakistan offers opportunities to expand tourism exchanges, increase connectivity and encourage greater interaction between businesses and communities in both countries. Cooperation in fisheries, agriculture and investment is similarly expected to provide new opportunities for economic diversification and private-sector engagement.
President Dr Muizzu also thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for Pakistan’s invaluable donation in support of the Maldives Government’s Five Million Tree Planting Programme, an important national environmental initiative aimed at strengthening environmental protection and contributing to the country’s long-term sustainability objectives.
The talks further covered cooperation in education, healthcare, professional training and capacity-building, areas in which the Maldives and Pakistan have maintained strong relations over many years. Both sides expressed interest in continuing to broaden these opportunities while strengthening institutional cooperation and people-to-people connections.
President Dr Muizzu and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded the official talks by reaffirming their shared commitment to further deepening Maldives-Pakistan relations and strengthening coordination on regional and international matters of mutual interest.
President Dr Muizzu’s State Visit to Pakistan is taking place from 20 to 22 October 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The visit reflects the Government’s continued efforts to strengthen the Maldives’ international partnerships, expand economic opportunities and advance cooperation with longstanding friendly nations.
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