ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu have agreed to increase bilateral trade between Pakistan and the Maldives to $200 million within the next two years, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation across multiple sectors.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad, the two leaders expressed their resolve to take longstanding bilateral relations to new heights through enhanced cooperation in trade, defence, health, education, technology, tourism, youth development and climate change.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed President Muizzu on his first official visit to Pakistan, describing the visit as an important opportunity to further strengthen the historic and brotherly ties between the two countries.
He said Pakistan and the Maldives shared longstanding relations and a strong foundation of friendship. Discussions between the two sides covered opportunities to expand cooperation in trade, defence, education, healthcare, policing and other areas.
The prime minister noted that several Maldivian students had received education at Pakistani universities and colleges, particularly in the medical field. He added that around 250 Pakistani doctors and healthcare professionals were currently serving people in different parts of the Maldives.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s willingness to expand medical and technical assistance according to the Maldives’ requirements.
20 Agreements and Memorandums of Understanding Exchanged
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan and the Maldives had exchanged 20 memorandums of understanding and agreements covering various sectors of bilateral cooperation.
He stressed that the agreements should not remain limited to documents but must translate into tangible outcomes. Both countries, he said, would work to ensure timely decisions and swift implementation.
The prime minister observed that the existing bilateral trade volume of approximately $13.9 million did not reflect the true economic potential of the two countries. He said both leaderships had agreed to raise trade to $200 million over the next two years, expressing confidence that the target could be achieved through joint efforts.
Pakistan to Support Maldives’ Tree-Planting Initiative
The prime minister announced Pakistan’s support for the Maldives’ target of planting five million trees over five years.
Under the proposed assistance, Pakistan will provide 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of different varieties, with the details to be worked out through mutual consultation.
Shehbaz Sharif also welcomed the Maldives’ plans to establish data centres and offered to share Pakistan’s technical expertise and professional capabilities in the sector. He said Pakistan had established data centres at various locations and that its experience could benefit the Maldives.
Pakistan Reaffirms Support for Palestine and Kashmir
Reiterating Pakistan’s principled position on Palestine, the prime minister said Islamabad fully supported the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian state in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.
He noted that the Maldives also supported Palestinian rights and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to continuing its diplomatic efforts in support of the Palestinian cause.
On Jammu and Kashmir, Shehbaz Sharif said he had briefed President Muizzu on Pakistan’s position regarding the dispute. He reiterated that Pakistan supported a peaceful resolution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
He said Pakistan would continue to support the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination through diplomatic channels and international forums.
Pakistan Warns Against Using Water as a Weapon
The prime minister expressed serious concern over India’s unilateral decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, stressing that international agreements must be respected.
He said shared water resources should not be weaponised or used as instruments of pressure and conflict.
“Water is a red line for Pakistan,” the prime minister said, emphasising that water should serve as a source of life, trade, prosperity and development rather than threats and disputes.
He underlined that access to water was essential for human survival, particularly for populations living in downstream areas, and warned that Pakistan would consider any violation in this regard an act of war.
Maldives President Calls Visit an Opportunity to Strengthen Ties
Addressing the joint press conference, President Mohamed Muizzu thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Pakistani government and the people of Pakistan for their warm welcome and hospitality.
He described his visit to Islamabad as a pleasure and an honour, noting that Pakistan and the Maldives had completed 60 years of diplomatic relations.
He said the six decades reflected warm friendship, shared faith, mutual understanding and common perspectives.
President Muizzu observed that his visit, following a decade-long gap, offered both countries an opportunity to consolidate their historic friendship and establish a new direction for future cooperation.
He described his talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as extensive and productive, adding that both sides shared a desire to usher in a new era of bilateral relations and make their partnership broader, more dynamic and more beneficial to their people.
He said the 20 memorandums of understanding exchanged between the two countries would open new avenues of cooperation in healthcare, education, fisheries, agriculture, youth affairs, arts, Islamic affairs, tourism, information technology, policing and defence.
The Maldivian president stressed that the real value of the agreements would depend on their implementation and the tangible benefits they delivered to the people of both countries.
Business Forum, Direct Flights and Investment
President Muizzu fully endorsed the target of increasing bilateral trade to $200 million within two years, saying Pakistan and the Maldives had considerable economic potential.
He said the two countries would work together to increase trade and investment, promote tourism and strengthen connectivity.
He added that the Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum would bring together business leaders, investors and innovators from both countries, helping transform their longstanding friendship into mutually beneficial investment and commercial partnerships.
The president also welcomed ongoing discussions on launching direct flights between Pakistan and the Maldives, saying improved air connectivity would create new opportunities for tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
He described tourism as an important area of cooperation in which both countries could draw on their shared values and experiences.
Scholarships and Healthcare Cooperation
President Muizzu praised Pakistan for providing scholarships, training and other opportunities to Maldivian students, athletes, coaches and young professionals.
He said both countries wanted to expand youth exchanges, skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership programmes, alongside cooperation in artificial intelligence, digitalisation and emerging technologies.
On healthcare, the president said the two sides had discussed creating additional opportunities for Maldivian students and medical professionals.
He added that they had agreed to explore increasing MBBS seats under Pakistan’s technical assistance programme and examining internship opportunities in Pakistan for Maldivian medical graduates.
Climate Change and Institutional Cooperation
President Muizzu described climate change as a major global challenge, saying that for the Maldives it was not merely an environmental issue but one directly linked to national security, development and the country’s future.
He welcomed cooperation with Pakistan in environmental protection, waste management, renewable energy and strengthening resilience against the effects of climate change.
The president thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for announcing assistance towards the Maldives’ target of planting five million trees over five years, saying the support would contribute to achieving the country’s environmental objectives.
He added that the two countries had also discussed cooperation in policing, law enforcement, technical and vocational education, and strengthening institutional capacity.
Both leaders expressed confidence that the agreements and initiatives discussed during the visit would further strengthen bilateral relations and translate their longstanding friendship into practical cooperation and mutual benefits.