President Zardari stresses deeper trade, investment ties with Maldives

October 22, 2026 (MLN): President Asif Ali Zardari has called for turning the strong political goodwill between Pakistan and Maldives into greater trade, investment, connectivity and people-to-people contacts, while reaffirming Islamabad’s commitment to supporting Malé in education, healthcare, human resource development, social protection and sustainable development.

He said the State Visit of Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, which coincides with sixty years of diplomatic ties, has given fresh momentum to the partnership, according to a press release issued.

President Zardari recalled Pakistan’s past contributions to Maldives, including the Parliament building and the School of Medicine in Malé, and offered to deepen cooperation on climate resilience, environmental protection and sustainable development, including support for Muizzu’s Five Million Tree Initiative.

The two leaders noted that climate change hits small island developing states and other climate-vulnerable economies disproportionately, and stressed dialogue, diplomacy, sovereign equality, mutual respect and peaceful settlement of disputes under international law and the UN Charter.

They also reiterated support for the rights of the Palestinian people and for an independent, sovereign State of Palestine in line with relevant UN resolutions.

The leaders met at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad, where they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, and both expressed satisfaction with the positive direction of ties.

President Zardari said Pakistan’s longstanding fraternal relations with Maldives rest on shared faith, mutual trust and respect for sovereignty.

President Muizzu was accompanied by Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam, Defence and National Service Minister Hassan Rasheed, Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Minister Ali Ihusaan, Economic Development, Transport and Trade Minister Mohamed Saeed, and Maldives High Commissioner Mohamed Thoha.

On the Pakistani side, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar, Senators Sherry Rehman and Saleem Mandviwala, former federal minister and MNA Naveed Qamar, the Foreign Secretary and Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Maldives were present.

President Zardari later hosted a State Banquet in honour of President Muizzu and his delegation, attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir (COAS and Chief of Defence Forces), Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, National Strategic Command Commander General Syed Aamer Raza, members of the federal cabinet and Parliament, and the diplomatic corps.

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