President Muizzu meets with Prime Minister of Pakistan

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has met with the Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly currently ongoing in New York.

At the meeting, the two leaders reiterated the commitment to maintaining the strong, friendly relationship between the countries.

They discussed possible avenues of cooperation, such as in trade, education and tourism. Talks were also held on increasing direct flights between the two countries.

The Pakistani Prime Minister commended Maldives advancement in the tourism sector, expressing a wish to leveraging the Maldives’ expertise to further develop tourism in Pakistan.

Climate change adaptation and strengthening bilateral ties between the countries were also points of discussion.

This is the first meeting between leaders of Maldives and Pakistan in many years now. Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih did not meet with Shehbaz, who has been elected for a second consecutive term. Nor did President Solih meet with his predecessor Imran Khan.

The last meeting between a President of the Maldives and Prime Minister of Pakistan was during former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration. This was during a visit from then Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif to Maldives.