Pakistan, Maldives shore up ties with MoU spree

October 21, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and the Maldives has signed a series of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to expand bilateral cooperation across several sectors, including defence, IT, cybersecurity, health, education, social protection, agriculture and tourism.

The agreements were concluded during the three-day state visit of Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the first by a president of the island nation in 11 years, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Muizzu witnessed the ceremony, where representatives of both sides exchanged the pre-signed documents, APP reported.

The two sides signed an MoU on cooperation in information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, and technology and innovation, along with another on combating illicit trafficking and abuse of narcotic drugs.

They also concluded agreements on social protection and on health cooperation, including one between the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan.

Further MoUs cover the recruitment of health professionals, stronger defence ties and maritime security cooperation. To advance cooperation in agriculture, the sides agreed one pact on the sector and another on fisheries.

In education, they signed an MoU on technical and vocational education and training, and another on wider educational cooperation. Documents were also exchanged on youth and sports development, air connectivity, tourism, and arts, culture and heritage.

Institutional agreements were signed between the National College of Policy and Law Enforcement of the Maldives Police Service and the National Police Academy, Islamabad; the Civil Service Commission of Maldives and the Federal Public Service Commission of Pakistan; and the Civil Service Commission of Maldives and Pakistan’s Civil Service Academy.

To strengthen commercial engagement, the Maldives State Trading Organisation and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan signed an MoU on cooperation in the trade of agricultural commodities, food and other products.

The two countries also concluded a separate pact on environmental cooperation.

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