Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu begins a three-day state visit to Pakistan today, the first by a sitting Maldivian president in 11 years.
Muizzu, accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, cabinet ministers and senior officials, is visiting at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The trip, running from 20 to 22 October, coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established in 1966.
The president will hold delegation-level talks with the prime minister and meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour at Aiwan-e-Sadr. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reviewed the agenda of the visit at a preparatory meeting on 17 October.
Around a dozen agreements and memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed, covering trade, investment, health, education, climate change, tourism, civil aviation and defence cooperation. Direct air links between the two countries are also under discussion.
A Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum will be held during the visit, bringing together around 300 delegates from both countries, with Muizzu and Maldivian Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed expected to address the gathering.
The visit is being seen as an opportunity to lift a relationship that has operated at a lower tempo in recent years. The last visit by a Maldivian head of state was made by then-president Abdulla Yameen in May 2015.
Regional developments, including the revival of SAARC and cooperation at the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, are also on the agenda.
