President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed have returned to Malé following a successful three-day State Visit to Pakistan, concluding a series of high-level engagements that further strengthened the longstanding friendship between the Maldives and Pakistan and opened new opportunities for economic, social and strategic cooperation.
The State Visit, held from 20 to 22 October 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, adding special significance to the occasion. The visit reflected the growing depth of Maldives–Pakistan relations and the shared commitment of both governments to expanding cooperation in areas that can deliver direct benefits to their citizens.
During the visit, President Dr Muizzu held official talks with Prime Minister Sharif and met President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari. The President also engaged with several senior Pakistani leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Chairman of the Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani.
The discussions covered a broad range of areas including trade, investment, healthcare, education, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, youth development, sports, defence and security, as well as regional and multilateral cooperation. Both sides expressed their determination to translate the strong political relationship between the two countries into deeper economic and institutional partnerships.
A major outcome of the visit was the exchange of 20 Memoranda of Understanding witnessed by President Dr Muizzu and Prime Minister Sharif. The agreements span several areas of cooperation and are expected to create a stronger framework for collaboration between government institutions, businesses and other stakeholders in both countries.
The Maldives and Pakistan also agreed to work towards increasing bilateral trade to USD 200 million within the next two years, reflecting a clear ambition to significantly expand commercial ties. President Dr Muizzu further advanced this objective at the Maldives–Pakistan Business Forum 2026 in Islamabad, where he invited Pakistani businesses and investors to explore long-term partnerships and emerging opportunities in the Maldives.
Addressing the business community, the President highlighted opportunities in food security, healthcare, construction, engineering, renewable energy and Islamic finance, among other sectors. He presented the Maldives as an increasingly attractive destination for investment, supported by the Government’s efforts to diversify the economy, strengthen infrastructure and build new partnerships with international investors.
President Dr Muizzu also highlighted the Government’s ambition to establish direct flights between Malé and Karachi in the near future. Improved air connectivity would provide a major boost to tourism, business travel and trade, while also making travel between the two countries more convenient for families, students, professionals and visitors.
Cooperation in tourism featured prominently in the wider discussions, with the Maldives offering strong potential for increased visitor arrivals from Pakistan. Better connectivity, stronger business links and greater destination awareness are expected to create new opportunities for the Maldivian tourism industry, including resorts, guesthouses, travel operators and related service providers. The Maldives’ internationally recognised resort sector, known for its high-quality hospitality, private island experiences, natural beauty and premium tourism services, remains a major area where stronger engagement with the Pakistani market could generate additional growth.
The visit also strengthened cooperation beyond trade and investment, with both countries discussing opportunities in education, healthcare, culture and environmental protection. These areas are expected to further deepen people-to-people relations and create new opportunities for institutional partnerships and knowledge exchange.
Pakistan also announced a contribution of 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of various plant species in support of the Maldives’ five-million-tree initiative. The contribution reflects the expanding environmental cooperation between the two countries and supports the Government’s broader efforts to strengthen climate resilience, increase greenery and promote sustainable development across the Maldives.
The State Visit reaffirmed the close and enduring relationship between the Maldives and Pakistan while establishing a stronger foundation for future cooperation. With new agreements, an ambitious trade target, expanding investment opportunities and plans for improved connectivity, the visit is expected to contribute positively to the Maldives’ economic development and its growing international partnerships.
President Dr Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed were accompanied by a high-level delegation of Cabinet Ministers and senior Government officials throughout the visit.
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