By Khawaja Hamza
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan and the Maldives have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation in trade, investment, education, tourism, climate change, internal security and law enforcement during Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s three-day state visit to Pakistan.
President Muizzu was accorded a guard of honour at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday upon his arrival to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and participate in high-level delegation talks. The prime minister warmly welcomed the visiting president as the national anthems of Pakistan and the Maldives were played. A contingent of the Pakistan armed forces presented the guard of honour, which President Muizzu reviewed.
Following the ceremony, the two leaders introduced their respective delegations before holding one-on-one and delegation-level discussions. President Muizzu also planted a sapling on the lawns of the Prime Minister’s House.
The Maldivian president arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday, accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation comprising cabinet members and senior officials. His visit is the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years and coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established in 1966.
During the visit, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar called on President Muizzu and conveyed greetings and best wishes from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to its longstanding fraternal relations with the Maldives and emphasised the importance of expanding cooperation in trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism.
Dar also welcomed the participation of the Maldivian business delegation in the Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum, expressing hope that business-to-business engagements would generate concrete opportunities for trade and investment. President Muizzu appreciated the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation and expressed the Maldives’ desire to deepen relations with Pakistan and explore new avenues of mutually beneficial cooperation.
In a separate meeting, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry held talks with Maldivian Interior Minister Ali Ihsan on strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation in internal security and law enforcement. The discussions focused on joint efforts to prevent illegal immigration, human trafficking and organised crime.
Chaudhry said Pakistan valued security cooperation and the exchange of experiences with friendly countries to promote regional peace and stability. He stressed the need for closer coordination to address shared challenges, including illegal immigration and human trafficking, and conveyed Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s assurance of all possible support for strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Maldivian Interior Minister Ali Ihsan said both countries could effectively address common challenges through mutual cooperation and joint efforts. Special Secretary Interior Muhammad Shoaib Akbar and other relevant officials also attended the meeting.
President Muizzu is also scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour. Several agreements and memorandums of understanding covering various areas of bilateral cooperation are expected to be signed during the visit.
