By Dr Lubna Farah
ISLAMABAD : Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a three-day official visit to Pakistan, with discussions expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic cooperation and enhancing collaboration across a range of sectors.
According to state-run Radio Pakistan, Muizzu is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The visit marks the first 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.
During his stay, Muizzu is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour, according to an earlier statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Maldivian president will also hold restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The discussions are expected to cover the full range of bilateral relations, with both sides seeking to identify opportunities to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, healthcare, education, tourism, agriculture, defence, maritime security, climate change and people-to-people exchanges.
The two leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest, the Foreign Office said.
Business forum to explore trade and investment opportunities
Economic cooperation is expected to feature prominently during the visit, with a Pakistan–Maldives Business Forum scheduled to bring together representatives of the two countries’ business communities.
The forum aims to encourage commercial engagement and explore opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office said a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) covering various areas of bilateral cooperation were expected to be signed during the visit. The specific agreements and their terms had not been detailed in the statement.
Meanwhile, a Maldivian delegation led by Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam, comprising cabinet ministers and senior officials, arrived in Islamabad earlier on Tuesday ahead of the president’s arrival, according to the Foreign Office.
The visit provides an opportunity for Pakistan and the Maldives to review their longstanding diplomatic relationship and pursue closer cooperation in economic development, regional engagement and maritime affairs.
As the two countries mark six decades of diplomatic ties, the outcome of the high-level meetings and the anticipated agreements are expected to indicate the direction of their future bilateral cooperation.
