ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Wednesday underscored the importance of strengthening defence cooperation, institutional linkages and professional exchanges between the two countries, the military’s media wing said.
Field Marshal Asim Munir called on Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in Islamabad, where the two sides discussed matters of mutual interest, the prevailing regional security environment and avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.
Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir called on President of the Republic of Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu in Islamabad today. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, the prevailing regional security environment and avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation were discussed. @OfficialDGISPR @MMuizzu @ForeignOfficePk @PakPMO #RadioPakistan #News https://t.co/JClTduEYIK
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) October 21, 2026
During the meeting, Field Marshal Munir and President Dr Muizzu underscored the importance of strengthening defence cooperation, institutional linkages and professional exchanges, ISPR stated.
The Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff highlighted the longstanding and cordial relations between Pakistan and the Maldives. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation and promoting regional peace, stability and security through constructive engagement.
Dr Mohamed Muizzu commended the professionalism of Pakistan’s Armed Forces and appreciated Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote peace and stability in the region.
President Dr Muizzu is on a three-day state visit to Pakistan, during which he has met President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Pakistan, Maldives Explore New Avenues for Trade and Investment
During President Zardari and President Dr Muizzu vowed to turn six decades of Pakistan-Maldives diplomatic friendship into stronger economic ties. They agreed to expand trade, investment, connectivity and cooperation in education, healthcare and climate resilience during talks at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday.
President Zardari called for translating the longstanding political goodwill between the two countries into deeper economic engagement and practical cooperation, highlighting opportunities to expand a partnership rooted in shared faith, mutual trust and respect for sovereignty.
President Zardari Calls for Stronger Economic Cooperation Between Pakistan and Maldives President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasised the need to translate the strong political goodwill between Pakistan and Maldives into greater trade, investment, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Maldives in education, healthcare, human resource development, social protection and sustainable development. He was talking to the President of the Republic of Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, during a meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad, today. The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Welcoming President Muizzu, President Zardari reaffirmed the importance Pakistan attaches to its longstanding fraternal relations with Maldives, rooted in shared faith, mutual trust, respect for sovereignty and enduring goodwill. He noted that the State Visit, coinciding with sixty years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, has provided fresh momentum to their bilateral partnership. Both leaders expressed satisfaction over the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest. President Zardari recalled Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the development of Maldives, including the Parliament building and the School of Medicine in Malé, which stand as enduring symbols of friendship between the two countries. The two leaders recognised the disproportionate impact of climate change on vulnerable countries, particularly small island developing states and climate-vulnerable developing economies. President Zardari expressed Pakistan’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Maldives in climate resilience, environmental protection and sustainable development, including support for President Muizzu’s Five Million Tree Initiative. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international developments and underscored the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, sovereign equality, mutual respect and peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter. They reaffirmed their support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions. President Mohamed Muizzu was accompanied by Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Hassan Rasheed, Minister of Defence and National Service; Ali Ihusaan, Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology; Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Economic Development, Transport and Trade and Mohamed Thoha, High Commissioner of the Republic of Maldives. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Syed Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs and Minister in Waiting Muhammad Junaid Anwar, Senator Sherry Rehman, Senator Saleem Mandviwala, former Federal Minister Naveed Qamar MNA, Foreign Secretary and High Commissioner of Pakistan to Maldives were also present during the meeting. The meeting was followed by a State Banquet hosted by President Asif Ali Zardari in honour of President Mohamed Muizzu and his accompanying delegation which was attended, among others, by Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif; Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, COAS & Chief of Defence Forces; Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani; Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq; Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff; Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff; General Syed Aamer Raza, Commander National Strategic Command as well as members of the Federal Cabinet, Parliament and diplomatic corps. ——-
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 21, 2026
Both presidents expressed satisfaction with the progress of Pakistan and Maldives bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
President Zardari recalled Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to the Maldives’ development, including the Parliament building and the School of Medicine in Malé, describing such initiatives as enduring symbols of friendship between the two nations.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Maldives in education, healthcare, human resource development, social protection and sustainable development.
Pakistan, Maldives Sign 20 MoUs
During President Muizzu’s visit, Pakistan and Maldives have signed 20 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to expand cooperation across multiple sectors, including defence, information technology, cybersecurity, health, education, agriculture and tourism.
The agreements were signed on Wednesday during a three-day state visit by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years.
Prime Minister Sharif and President Muizzu witnessed the ceremony as officials from both sides exchanged the signed documents.
President of Maldives Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif witnesses the exchange of MoUs between Pakistan and Maldives in various sectors at a ceremony at Prime Minister’s House, Islamabad. https://t.co/6FZ7weSFTZ
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) October 21, 2026
The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, technology and innovation.
They also signed agreements to enhance defence ties and maritime security cooperation, recruit health professionals and combat the illicit trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs.
Other agreements cover social protection, health cooperation and collaboration between the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and Pakistan’s Drug Regulatory Authority.
The two countries signed MoUs to expand cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, alongside agreements on technical and vocational education and training and broader educational cooperation.
They also agreed to promote collaboration in youth and sports development, air connectivity, tourism, arts, culture and heritage.
Further agreements were exchanged between the Maldives Police Service’s National College of Policy and Law Enforcement and the National Police Academy in Islamabad.
The countries also agreed to strengthen institutional links between the Civil Service Commission of the Maldives and the Federal Public Service Commission and the Civil Service Academy.
To expand commercial engagement, the Maldives State Trading Organisation and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan signed an MoU on trade in agricultural commodities, food and other products.
PM Sharif Vows to Strengthen Ties with Maldives
Addressing a joint press stakeout following the signing of 20 wide-ranging MoUs, PM Sharif said, “There is no doubt that the two countries [will] keep on strengthening these relations for all time to
The prime minister noted that he and Muizzu, in their bilateral and delegation-level talks, discussed “all important issues which have direct bearing between our two brotherly countries and of course, regional and international issues”.
“It is a great pleasure to welcome a dear brother from our brotherly country, Maldives. This being your first visit to Pakistan and the first visit by anyone from the Maldives in 11 years, makes it a particularly welcome occasion. We extend a very warm welcome to you on behalf of the people of Pakistan, my government and myself. Your Excellency, we are also celebrating 60 years of diplomatic relations alongside your visit. There is no doubt that the two countries will continue to strengthen these relations for all times to come. Today, during our bilateral meeting and our earlier meeting in a smaller group, we discussed all important issues that have a direct bearing on our two brotherly countries, as well as regional and international issues. I am very happy to announce that we had a wonderful session, with very productive and fruitful discussions.” ~Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses the joint press stakeout after delegation level talks between Pakistan and Maldives
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) October 21, 2026
PM Sharif noted that the conversations encompassed “economic and trade relations, our strategic defence cooperation, our support for training of our brothers and sisters from Maldives in Pakistan in various walks of life; police, defence, education, health and many other” fields.
The prime minister went on to announce that both sides had agreed to raise their bilateral trade from $13.9 million — “just a fraction of our potential” — to $200m in the next two years.
