President Arrives in Islamabad for Three-Day State Visit to Strengthen Ties with Pakistan

Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Islamabad yesterday, launching a three-day State Visit to Pakistan aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, trade, and regional cooperation between the two South Asian nations.

The visit, undertaken at the invitation of Pakistani Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, marks the first high-level presidential visit between the Maldives and Pakistan in over a decade. It also coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries, which began on 26 July 1966.

According to the President’s Office, President Muizzu, accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, a delegation of cabinet ministers, and senior government officials, received a formal ceremonial welcome upon arrival in the capital.

Expressing his gratitude for the reception via a statement on social media, President Muizzu noted that he felt honoured to undertake his first State Visit to Pakistan.

“I extend my sincere appreciation to the Government and the brotherly people of Pakistan for the exceptional warmth and distinguished ceremonial welcome accorded to us,” President Muizzu stated. “I look forward to fruitful engagements that will further deepen our bilateral relations, strengthen our partnership, and advance the shared aspirations of our two nations.”

During his stay in Islamabad from 20 to 22 October, President Muizzu will conduct high-level talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other key officials. The leadership scheduled the exchange of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across multiple sectors following official discussions.

Economic cooperation forms a central pillar of the visit, government officials note. On 22 October, both governments will host a two-hour bilateral business forum in Pakistan, bringing together approximately 300 participants, including business leaders and official delegates from both countries, to explore trade and investment opportunities.

As per the President’s Office, the visit directly reflects the administration’s “Maldives First” foreign policy, which emphasises active regional engagement and key strategic partnerships to drive national economic growth and diplomatic stability.

The state visit highlights a six-decade-long relationship rooted in shared history, cultural ties, and mutual support in human resource development.

Over the decades, Pakistan has provided significant developmental and technical support to the Maldives, particularly in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Key historical milestones in the partnership include:

• Healthcare and Higher Education: Pakistan remains a primary destination for Maldivian medical students through the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme. Furthermore, a USD 5 million grant from Pakistan helped fund the establishment of the School of Medicine at the Maldives National University.
• Infrastructure and Governance: Pakistan funded and constructed the Maldivian Parliament building (People’s Majlis), inaugurated in 1998, and previously provided technical assistance during the drafting of the country’s Fourth Constitution.
• Financial and Emergency Assistance: Habib Bank of Pakistan has maintained a commercial presence in the Maldives since 1976, while Pakistani military vessels assisted with disaster relief operations following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

The current visit represents the first Maldivian presidential tour of Pakistan since former President Abdulla Yameen visited in 2015, signalling a renewed momentum in bilateral engagements between the two partners.