Islamabad, 21 October, 2026 (Nosheen): Pakistan and the Maldives have agreed to increase bilateral trade from $130 million to $200 million within two years, while signing and exchanging 20 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors. The agreements were signed during the three-day state visit of Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to Pakistan, marking a significant step towards enhancing bilateral relations. The MoUs cover defence, information technology, cybersecurity, healthcare, education, trade, agriculture, tourism and several other areas of mutual interest. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly welcomed President Muizzu at an official reception ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad on Wednesday. The national anthems of Pakistan and the Maldives were played, followed by a guard of honour presented by a smartly turned-out contingent of the Pakistan Armed Forces. President Muizzu reviewed the guard of honour before the two leaders introduced their respective delegations and proceeded to one-on-one discussions and delegation-level talks.
The Maldivian president, who arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday, was accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation comprising cabinet members and senior officials. During the visit, President Muizzu also planted a sapling on the lawns of the Prime Minister’s House as a gesture of goodwill and friendship between the two countries. The visit is particularly significant as it marks the first visit 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. President Muizzu is also scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour. The agreements are expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral cooperation, promote trade and investment opportunities, and strengthen people-to-people ties between Pakistan and the Maldives. Both countries have expressed their commitment to expanding cooperation in areas of shared interest and further deepening their longstanding friendly relations.