ISLAMABAD: Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a three-day state visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with the two countries expected to sign several agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to expand bilateral cooperation across key sectors.
Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, along with Wajiha Qamar, Federal Minister of State for the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training, warmly received the distinguished guests at the airport, a Foreign Office statement said.
The President of the Republic of Maldives, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, arrived in Islamabad today on a three-day State Visit to Pakistan (20–22 October 2026), accompanied by First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation comprising Cabinet Ministers and senior officials.
Mr. Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs along with Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Federal Minister of State for Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training warmly received the distinguished guests at the airport.
The visit, the first by a President of Maldives to Pakistan in eleven years, assumes special significance as the two brotherly countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.
The State Visit reflects the longstanding fraternal ties between Pakistan and Maldives and their shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation across diverse fields. 🇵🇰🇲🇻— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 20, 2026
The Maldivian President received a warm welcome at Islamabad International Airport and was accorded a 21-gun salute, according to a statement from his office.
This is the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years and coincides with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1966.
I am honoured to arrive in Islamabad for my first State Visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, accompanied by my wife and delegation.
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.
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.
@CMShehbaz— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) October 20, 2026
The Maldivian President is accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation comprising cabinet ministers and senior officials.
The President will be accorded an official welcome on Wednesday at the Prime Minister’s House.
Earlier, the Foreign Minister of the Maldives, Iruthisham Adam, accompanied by Cabinet Ministers and senior officials, arrived in Islamabad.
The delegation was received at the airport by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director General (South Asia and SAARC), the High Commissioner of Maldives and High Commissioner of Pakistan to Maldives.
Foreign Minister of the Republic of Maldives, H.E. Iruthisham Adam, accompanied by Cabinet Ministers and senior officials, arrived in Islamabad this morning ahead of the State Visit of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives, who is scheduled to arrive later today.
The delegation was received at the airport by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director General (South Asia & SAARC), High Commissioner of Maldives to Pakistan, and High Commissioner of Pakistan to Maldives.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 20, 2026
The visit of the Maldivian President assumes added significance as the two countries commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1966, reflecting their shared resolve to strengthen longstanding ties and explore new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation.
President Muizzu to meet President Asif Ali Zardari
During the visit, President Muizzu will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour, the Foreign Office said.
He will also hold restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and identify opportunities to deepen cooperation.
🔊 PR No. 2️⃣9️⃣3️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Curtain Raiser: State Visit of the President of the Republic of Maldives to Pakistan (20–22 October 2026)
🔗⬇️ https://t.co/PFyq2utlPB
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 18, 2026
The discussions will focus on trade, investment, health, education, tourism, agriculture, defence, maritime security, climate change and people-to-people exchanges.
The two leaders will also exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
A Business Forum will be held as part of the visit to strengthen engagement between the two countries’ business communities and explore fresh opportunities for trade, investment and economic collaboration.
ALSO READ: Maldives President to Arrive in Pakistan on Oct 20 for Three-Day State Visit
The anticipated signing of agreements and MoUs in diverse fields is expected to provide further impetus to bilateral cooperation and translate longstanding goodwill between the two countries into tangible partnerships.
The two countries maintain warm and cordial relations based on shared faith, mutual respect, longstanding goodwill and cooperation at regional and international forums.
The Foreign Office said the forthcoming visit reflected the shared commitment of both countries to further strengthen their bilateral partnership and open new avenues of cooperation for the mutual benefit of their peoples.
