ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister has underscored the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism.
He made the remarks during a meeting with the President of Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, in Islamabad on Wednesday, a Foreign Office statement said.
Ishaq Dar conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 called on the President of Maldives, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, in Islamabad today.
The DPM/FM conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. He warmly welcomed the President and his delegation to Pakistan.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to its longstanding fraternal relations with Maldives, the DPM/FM underscored the importance of expanding bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism.
The DPM/FM welcomed the participation of the Maldivian business delegation in the Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum and expressed hope that B2B engagements would yield concrete trade and investment opportunities.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu appreciated the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He expressed Maldives’ desire to deepen its close relations with Pakistan and explore new avenues of mutually beneficial cooperation.
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 21, 2026
The Deputy Prime Minister welcomed the participation of the Maldivian business delegation in the Joint Business Forum and expressed hope that B2B engagements would yield concrete trade and investment opportunities.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu appreciated the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He expressed Maldives’ desire to deepen its close relations with Pakistan and explore new avenues of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Pakistan, Maldives sign MoUs
The two countries have signed a series of 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.
The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Muizzu witnessed the ceremony as officials from both sides exchanged the signed documents.
The two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, technology and innovation.
ALSO READ: Pakistan, Maldives Sign MoUs to Boost Defence, Trade, Technology and Maritime Security
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 National Police Academy in Islamabad.
The countries also agreed to strengthen institutional links between the Civil Service Commission of the Maldives and Federal Public Service Commission and 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 Shehbaz vows to strengthen ties with Maldives
Addressing a joint press stakeout following the signing of 20 wide-ranging MoUs, PM Shehbaz 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”.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif meets President of the Maldives H.E. Muhammad Muizzu at Prime Minister’s House, Islamabad. https://t.co/n3cho7sHEt
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) October 21, 2026
PM Shehbaz 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 $200m in the next two years.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif held restricted and delegation-level talks with Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the President of the Republic of Maldives, at the Prime Minister’s House, Islamabad, today.
On arrival, President Muizzu was received by the Prime Minister and accorded a formal welcome ceremony. He inspected the Guard of Honour and planted a commemorative sapling.
During their talks, the two leaders reviewed the bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international developments. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding fraternal relations with Maldives and supporting its national development priorities.
Economic cooperation featured prominently in these discussions. Both the leaders agreed to expand bilateral trade, investments, tourism, food security, pharmaceuticals and private-sector partnerships. They emphasized the importance of improving air and maritime connectivity and the early convening of the Joint Economic Commission.
The two leaders resolved to increase the bilateral trade from the current US$ 13.4 million to US$ 200 million in the next two years.
The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to provide essential food commodities and pharmaceuticals to Maldives, including through government-to-government arrangements. He also announced 20 additional undergraduate scholarships, annually, for Maldivian students and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to expanding healthcare cooperation, professional training and capacity building.
As part of the Maldivian President’s ‘Five Million Tree Initiative’, the Prime Minister announced that Pakistan would provide 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of various plants. These would be provided over a period of the next 12 months, depending on which season the plant becomes available. In total, Pakistan would help produce 1 million plants in 3 years by sending its experts, who would help set up nurseries.
On regional and international issues, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to peace, dialogue, respect for sovereignty and international law. The Prime Minister appreciated Maldives principled support for Palestine and shared Pakistan’s perspectives on Jammu and Kashmir dispute, the Indus Waters Treaty and regional security developments.
Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering health, education, technical training, tourism, civil aviation, agriculture, fisheries, defence, maritime security, law enforcement, civil service cooperation, social protection, culture, youth and other areas.
At the joint press stakeout, the leaders expressed satisfaction over the outcomes of their discussions and emphasized the importance of timely implementation of the agreements to deliver tangible benefits for both countries.
During a special ceremony, the International Islamic University, Islamabad, conferred an honorary PhD in “Politics and International Relations”, upon President Muizzu, recognizing his leadership, distinguished public service and contributions to the development of Maldives.
The Prime Minister also hosted a luncheon in the honour of the visiting President and his delegation.
The State Visit, the first by a President of Maldives in the past eleven years, coincides with 60 years of the establishment of Pakistan-Maldives diplomatic relations and marks an important step towards a stronger, broader and mutually beneficial partnership.
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) October 21, 2026
In his comments, Muizzu appreciated PM Shehbaz, the government and people of Pakistan for “their exceptional warmth and gracious hospitality”.
He added that his visit coming on the 60-year mark of Pakistan-Maldives diplomatic relations made it “particularly significant”. The 60 years have been marked by warmth, friendship and shared perspectives, he said.
“This visit takes place after a decade-long interval. It offers us an important opportunity not simply to celebrate the friendship of the past but to define the partnership of the future,” Muizzu said.
Stressing on the close relations between the two countries, he said, “Only two such longstanding friends could have talked so widely and agreed on so much about our future together”.
He said he was encouraged by the discussions to establish direct flights between Pakistan and the Maldives, adding that direct flights would help support tourism as well.
He further said that the two countries’ leaders saw “considerable potential in halal and Muslim-friendly tourism”.
Muizzu appreciated Pakistan’s scholarships and placements for Maldivian students, adding that the leaders would broaden the opportunities further, especially in artificial intelligence, digitisation and future technologies as well as health.
“We want our next generation to be prepared for the future and be prepared to shape that future.”
Muizzu stressed that climate change was “not an abstract environmental concern” for the Maldives. Instead, he said, “it is a direct challenge to our security, our development and our future”.
Pakistan university confers honorary doctorate to President Muizzu
Meanwhile the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) also conferred an honorary doctorate in Politics and International Relations on Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in recognition of his distinguished public service, leadership, contributions to the socio-economic development of the Maldives, and service to the Muslim Ummah.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Rector of International Islamic University Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saad Al Ahmed presenting honorary PhD degree to President of Maldives H.E. Dr. Muhammad Muizzu at a special convocation at the Prime Minister’s House, Islamabad. https://t.co/4JfQEqa0Dm
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) October 21, 2026
The honorary doctorate was conferred on the Maldivian president during the 13th Special Convocation held at the Prime Minister’s House, following delegation-level talks and the exchange of memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, members of the federal cabinet, members of the Maldivian president’s delegation, IIUI Rector Professor Dr. Ahmed Saad Alahmed, and senior government officials.
Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday on a three-day visit at the invitation of PM Shehbaz Sharif. The visit marks the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years, and comes as the two countries celebrate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, established in 1966.
