President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed have returned to Malé following a three-day State Visit to Pakistan, during which the two countries reaffirmed their longstanding friendship and agreed to expand cooperation across key sectors, laying the foundation for a stronger bilateral partnership.
The visit, held from 20 to 22 October 2026 at the invitation of Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Pakistan. It was also the first State Visit by a Maldivian head of state to Pakistan in a decade.
During the visit, President Dr Muizzu held official talks with Prime Minister Sharif and met Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. He also engaged with senior officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani.
Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, investment, healthcare, education, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, youth development, sports, defence and security, alongside regional and multilateral affairs.
A key outcome of the visit was the exchange of 20 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) covering various sectors, witnessed by President Dr Muizzu and Prime Minister Sharif. Both countries also committed to increasing bilateral trade from USD 13 million to USD 200 million within the next two years, signalling their shared determination to deepen economic relations.
Addressing the Maldives–Pakistan Business Forum 2026 in Islamabad alongside Prime Minister Sharif, President Dr Muizzu invited Pakistani businesses to establish long-term partnerships and explore investment opportunities in the Maldives. He highlighted potential investments in food security, healthcare, construction, engineering, renewable energy and Islamic finance, while emphasising the importance of translating the agreements reached into tangible economic benefits.
The President also outlined the Maldives' ambition to establish direct flights between Malé and Karachi in the near future, noting the potential for improved air connectivity to facilitate trade, tourism and business exchanges between the two countries.
Following the conclusion of the visit, President Dr Muizzu expressed gratitude to Pakistan's leadership, government and people for the warm reception extended to him, the First Lady and the accompanying delegation. He described the visit as a defining moment in bilateral relations and said both countries had agreed to open a new chapter of partnership.
The President said the successful business forum had established an important foundation for turning the trade target into concrete investments, stronger business partnerships and meaningful economic cooperation. He also noted that the exchange of 20 MoUs demonstrated the two countries' commitment to moving beyond aspirations towards practical cooperation and measurable results.
Beyond economic ties, the visit provided opportunities to expand people-to-people relations and collaboration in education, healthcare, culture and environmental protection. As part of support for the Maldives' environmental initiatives, Pakistan announced a contribution of 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of various plant species to the country's five-million-tree initiative.
Reflecting on the outcome of the visit, President Dr Muizzu said the six decades of friendship between the two countries had provided a strong foundation for further progress, expressing confidence that their shared vision and determination would take bilateral relations to new heights.
A high-level delegation comprising Cabinet Ministers and senior Government officials accompanied President Dr Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed throughout the State Visit.
