ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Maldives have vowed to turn six decades of diplomatic friendship into stronger economic ties, with President Asif Ali Zardari and Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu agreeing 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.
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— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 21, 2026
The meeting came during President Muizzu’s state visit to Pakistan, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress of bilateral ties and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Education, healthcare and climate cooperation on agenda
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.
Climate change also featured prominently in the discussions, with both presidents acknowledging its disproportionate impact on vulnerable countries, particularly small island developing states and climate-vulnerable developing economies.
His Excellency President Dr @MMuizzu meets with His Excellency President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan to discuss bilateral relations and avenues for strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
#MaldivesPakistan https://t.co/pV97efAnzb
— The President’s Office (@presidencymv) October 21, 2026
Zardari expressed Pakistan’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the 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, underscoring the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, sovereign equality and mutual respect. They called for the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter.
Read Also: Pakistan, Maldives Sign MoUs to Boost Defence, Trade, Technology and Maritime Security
Both presidents reaffirmed their support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state in line with relevant United Nations resolutions.
President Dr Muizzu meets the President of Pakistan
https://t.co/0TXLdhI4dW#MaldivesPakistan
— The President’s Office (@presidencymv) October 21, 2026
State banquet hosted in honour of Maldivian president
Following the meeting, President Zardari hosted a state banquet at Aiwan-e-Sadr in honour of President Muizzu and his accompanying delegation.
The event was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and senior military leadership.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Commander National Strategic Command General Syed Aamer Raza, members of the federal cabinet, parliamentarians and members of the diplomatic corps also attended.
The visit underscores the two countries’ intention to build on six decades of diplomatic relations by expanding economic links and cooperation on shared development and environmental challenges.
Read Also: Pakistan, Maldives To Expand Bilateral Trade, Investment and Tourism
Seperately, Pakistan’s First Lady Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari met with First Lady of the Maldives Sajidha Mohamed at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad, where the two emphasised women’s empowerment, youth development and stronger people-to-people ties between the two countries.
They agreed to expand cooperation in education, healthcare, vocational training, women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, tourism, agriculture and social development. Asifa Bhutto Zardari highlighted Pakistan’s Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and Benazir Nashonuma Programme, which support vulnerable families and address maternal and child malnutrition, stressing the importance of economic security for women and healthy beginnings for children. She also commended Sajidha Mohamed’s contributions to public health and initiatives supporting women, youth and vulnerable communities.
First Ladies of Pakistan and Maldives Emphasise Women’s Empowerment, Youth Development and Strong People-to-People Ties
First Lady of Pakistan, Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari MNA, met with First Lady of the Republic of Maldives Sajidha Mohamed at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.
The two First Ladies underscored the importance of women’s empowerment, youth development and greater people-to-people engagement as key pillars of Pakistan-Maldives bilateral relations.
Welcoming her Maldivian counterpart, Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari expressed the hope that Pakistan’s warmth and hospitality would make her visit memorable and further strengthen the longstanding bonds of friendship, mutual respect, shared values and Islamic brotherhood between the two countries.
The First Lady expressed satisfaction over expanding bilateral cooperation in education, healthcare, culture, youth development and people-to-people exchanges. She emphasised that both countries share a commitment to advancing women’s participation in public life and creating greater opportunities for their education, particularly through vocational training, leadership development and economic empowerment.
Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari commended First Lady Sajidha Mohamed’s distinguished professional journey, particularly her leadership role at the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and her contributions to the public health response during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also appreciated her initiatives to empower women and youth, significantly reduce school dropouts and support vulnerable communities through innovative initiatives.
The First Ladies agreed to strengthen mutual cooperation in women’s leadership, education, skills development, tourism and hospitality, modern and cost-effective agriculture, entrepreneurship, public health, social development and youth empowerment.
Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari reaffirmed that women’s empowerment, poverty alleviation and maternal and child health remain among her foremost priorities. She highlighted the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), launched in 2008 to carry forward the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, as Pakistan’s flagship social protection initiative, providing financial assistance to millions of vulnerable families, particularly women.
She also outlined the transformative impact of the Benazir Nashonuma Programme in addressing malnutrition and childhood stunting during the critical first 1,000 days of life. “Our objective is to ensure that every woman lives with dignity and economic security, and every child receives a healthy start in life,” Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari stated. She observed that greater exchanges among students, experts, educational institutions and young professionals would help forge enduring ties between future generations.
Both First Ladies emphasised the importance of closer cooperation between relevant institutions and civil society organisations working for the welfare of women, children and youth. They agreed that sustained engagement in these areas would further deepen the friendship between Pakistan and the Maldives and translate their shared aspirations into meaningful benefits for their peoples.
Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari also presented pink ribbons to the First Lady of Maldives and members of her delegation as a gesture of solidarity and to raise awareness about breast cancer.
The First Lady of Maldives was accompanied by Geela Ali, Minister of Health, Family and Welfare of the Maldives.
Minister of State for Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar, Senator Rubina Khalid and Member of the National Assembly Shazia Marri were also present during the meeting.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) October 21, 2026
The two First Ladies called for closer collaboration among institutions and civil society organisations, while Asifa Bhutto Zardari presented pink ribbons to her Maldivian counterpart and delegation members to promote breast cancer awareness.
The meeting was also attended by Maldivian Health Minister Geela Ali, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Education Wajiha Qamar, Senator Rubina Khalid and MNA Shazia Marri.
