Pakistan and Maldives sign 20 MoUs, target $200m trade within two years

Pakistan and the Maldives signed 20 memorandums of understanding on Wednesday during Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s three-day state visit to Islamabad, witnessed by Muizzu and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The visit — the first by a Maldivian president in 11 years, reported by Dawn — follows yesterday’s arrival coverage and coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, established in 1966.

The agreements span defence cooperation, maritime security, IT, cybersecurity and AI, narcotics control, social protection, health, recruitment of health professionals, vocational training, youth and sports, air connectivity, police academies, agriculture, fisheries, trade, tourism, education and the environment, according to the Express Tribune.

At a joint press stakeout, Shehbaz announced the two sides would raise bilateral trade from $13.9 million to $200 million within two years, calling the current level “just a fraction of our potential”. Pakistan will also back the Maldives’ plan to plant five million trees with 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds, and offer data-centre expertise. He noted about 250 Pakistani doctors and paramedics serve in the Maldives, with more to follow.

Muizzu called the visit “the first by a Maldivian president in a decade”, welcomed talks on establishing direct flights, and said the agreements open “a new era” of partnership. He was earlier given a guard of honour at the Prime Minister’s House and will be conferred an honorary doctorate by the International Islamic University Islamabad.