ISLAMABAD, 20 October, 2026 (Kamran Raja): President of the Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday for a three-day official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The visit 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. During his visit, President Muizzu will meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour, and hold restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The two leaders are expected to review the full range of bilateral relations and explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, health, education, tourism, agriculture, defence, maritime security, climate change and people-to-people exchanges. They will also exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest. A Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum will be held during the visit to promote interaction between the business communities of both countries and explore opportunities for trade and investment. Several agreements and memorandums of understanding covering different areas of bilateral cooperation are also expected to be signed. Meanwhile, a Maldivian delegation led by Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam, comprising cabinet ministers and senior officials, arrived in Islamabad earlier on Tuesday. The delegation was received at the airport by Pakistani and Maldivian diplomatic officials, including the Foreign Office spokesperson, the Director General for South Asia and SAARC, and both countries’ high commissioners. The visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to bilateral relations and further strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and the Maldives.