President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that the Maldives and Pakistan have agreed to enter a new era of bilateral cooperation following wide-ranging and productive discussions with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, strengthening a relationship that has developed over six decades of friendship, shared values and close diplomatic engagement.
The President’s official visit to Pakistan comes at an important moment as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic relations. The visit, taking place after a decade-long interval at the presidential level, has provided both governments with an opportunity to review the progress of bilateral relations while identifying new areas of cooperation capable of delivering practical economic, social and developmental benefits to the peoples of both countries.
Addressing a joint press conference following official discussions, President Dr Muizzu said the longstanding friendship between the Maldives and Pakistan has been shaped by shared faith, mutual respect and close understanding. He emphasised that the relationship should now advance beyond its strong historical foundations towards a more results-oriented partnership focused on economic development, investment, human capital, technology, connectivity and institutional cooperation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif similarly highlighted the close and enduring friendship between the two countries and expressed Pakistan’s commitment to broadening cooperation with the Maldives. The discussions between the two leaders reflected a shared determination to strengthen bilateral engagement across a wide range of sectors and establish stronger institutional and commercial links between the two nations.
A major outcome of the visit was the exchange of 20 Memoranda of Understanding covering important areas including health, education, fisheries, agriculture, youth development, arts, Islamic affairs, tourism, information technology, policing and defence. President Dr Muizzu said the agreements create new opportunities for practical cooperation and stressed the importance of ensuring that the commitments reached during the visit are translated into meaningful programmes and measurable outcomes.
Economic cooperation was placed prominently on the agenda, with both governments agreeing to substantially expand bilateral trade. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the Maldives and Pakistan have set an ambitious objective of increasing bilateral trade from approximately USD 13 million to USD 200 million within the next two years.
President Dr Muizzu welcomed the commitment, noting that considerable untapped potential remains between the two countries in trade, investment and private-sector collaboration. The significant increase targeted in bilateral trade reflects the growing emphasis being placed by the Government of Maldives on diversifying economic partnerships, creating new markets for Maldivian enterprises and attracting greater international investment.
The two countries are also seeking to strengthen tourism cooperation and improve connectivity. Discussions are continuing on the establishment of direct air services between the Maldives and Pakistan, which could provide important new opportunities for tourism, business travel, education and people-to-people exchanges.
Improved air connectivity could also help the Maldives reach a broader segment of the Pakistani travel market while making travel between the two countries more convenient for investors, students, professionals and families. With the Maldives internationally recognised as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations, closer cooperation with Pakistan presents further opportunities to promote the country among new groups of travellers while strengthening commercial ties between tourism-related businesses in both markets.
The Maldives–Pakistan Business Forum, scheduled to take place during the President’s visit, is expected to bring together business leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and investors from the two countries. The forum will provide an important platform for identifying investment opportunities, building commercial partnerships and exploring cooperation in sectors where the Maldives and Pakistan can complement each other’s expertise and economic strengths.
President Dr Muizzu also placed strong emphasis on human resource development and opportunities for younger generations. He expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the development of Maldivian professionals through scholarships, training programmes and educational placements, acknowledging the important role such opportunities have played in strengthening national capacity in the Maldives.
Both leaders agreed to expand cooperation in youth development, skills training, entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership. Particular attention is being given to emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, digitalisation and future technologies, reflecting the Maldives Government’s wider efforts to prepare young people for rapidly evolving global industries and strengthen the country’s digital and knowledge-based economy.
The President also announced plans to increase MBBS placements available to Maldivian students under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme. The two governments will additionally explore internship opportunities in Pakistan for Maldivian medical graduates, creating further avenues for young Maldivians to obtain practical clinical experience and professional development.
President Dr Muizzu described these initiatives as investments in people, knowledge and national capacity, underlining the Government’s focus on expanding educational and professional opportunities for Maldivians through stronger international partnerships.
Environmental cooperation was another important component of the discussions. President Dr Muizzu reaffirmed the Maldives’ commitment to strengthening climate resilience and pursuing national environmental objectives. During the joint press conference, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that Pakistan would contribute 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of various plant species in support of the Maldives’ five-million-tree initiative.
President Dr Muizzu warmly welcomed the contribution, recognising it as a meaningful demonstration of Pakistan’s support for the Maldives’ environmental priorities. The assistance will contribute to the Government’s broader efforts to increase greenery, enhance environmental sustainability and strengthen resilience in one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Regional cooperation also featured prominently in the President’s remarks. President Dr Muizzu reiterated the Maldives’ strong belief in the relevance and potential of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, emphasising the importance of rebuilding trust and encouraging meaningful dialogue among SAARC member states.
The President’s position reflects the Maldives’ longstanding support for constructive regional engagement and cooperation in addressing shared economic, environmental and developmental challenges facing South Asia.
President Dr Muizzu also reaffirmed the Maldives’ unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and recognised Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in support of dialogue, humanitarian assistance and de-escalation in the Middle East. The two countries continue to share close positions on a number of issues affecting the Islamic world and the wider international community.
Concluding his remarks, President Dr Muizzu expressed confidence that the agreements and understandings reached in Islamabad would strengthen the foundation of Maldives–Pakistan relations and elevate bilateral cooperation to new levels.
He thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Government of Pakistan and the people of Pakistan for the warm hospitality extended to the Maldivian delegation during the visit and expressed his eagerness to welcome the Pakistani Prime Minister to the Maldives in the near future.
The outcomes of the visit demonstrate the Maldives Government’s continuing efforts to broaden the country’s international partnerships while securing practical opportunities in trade, investment, tourism, education, healthcare, technology, environmental protection and human resource development. With new agreements now providing a framework for deeper cooperation, the Maldives and Pakistan are positioning their six-decade friendship for a more economically productive and forward-looking phase focused on delivering tangible benefits to their people.
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