President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was accorded an official ceremonial welcome in Islamabad on Wednesday as he began high-level engagements with Pakistan’s leadership, with the two countries preparing to sign a series of agreements aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation.
The welcoming ceremony was held at the official residence of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who received President Muizzu in the presence of senior government officials.
The ceremony began with a 21-gun salute in honour of the Maldivian President, followed by the playing of the national anthems of the Maldives and Pakistan.
President Muizzu was then presented with a guard of honour as part of the formal reception, reflecting the diplomatic significance of his visit.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also introduced members of his Cabinet and senior Pakistani government officials attending the ceremony to the President.
As part of the occasion, President Muizzu participated in a tree-planting ceremony at the Prime Minister’s residence, symbolising the longstanding friendship between the Maldives and Pakistan.
The gesture carries particular significance as the two countries commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.
The official welcome marks the beginning of a series of high-level discussions aimed at strengthening political, economic and institutional cooperation between the two nations.
President Muizzu is scheduled to hold extensive bilateral talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with discussions expected to focus on expanding existing partnerships and identifying new opportunities for cooperation.
According to the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two governments are preparing to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering 20 areas of cooperation during Wednesday’s engagements.
The planned agreements are expected to provide a framework for closer collaboration across several sectors, building on the existing relationship between the two countries.
Areas previously identified for cooperation during the visit include trade and investment, healthcare, education, defence, tourism and civil aviation.
The signing of the agreements is expected to be a central outcome of the President’s visit, although the full details of the arrangements have yet to be officially announced.
President Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The presidential couple received a ceremonial welcome at Islamabad Airport upon arrival, including a guard of honour.
The President is accompanied by a high-level Maldivian government delegation comprising Cabinet ministers and senior officials, reflecting the range of bilateral matters expected to be discussed during the visit.
This is President Muizzu’s first official visit to Pakistan since assuming office in November 2023 and the first visit by a Maldivian head of state to the country in 11 years.
The visit comes at an important moment in relations between the two countries, which established formal diplomatic ties in 1966, shortly after the Maldives gained independence in 1965.
Over the past six decades, the Maldives and Pakistan have maintained cooperation in several fields, including education, defence training and diplomatic engagement.
Pakistan has also provided educational and professional training opportunities for Maldivians, contributing to longstanding institutional and people-to-people ties.
The current visit is intended to build on that foundation while exploring opportunities to strengthen economic engagement and expand cooperation into additional sectors.
Beyond the official talks, the President’s programme includes meetings with senior Pakistani leaders and engagements aimed at encouraging closer business and investment relations.
A business forum involving more than 300 participants, including investors and business representatives, has also been planned in connection with the visit.
The forum is expected to provide an opportunity for businesses from both countries to explore potential partnerships and investment opportunities.
President Muizzu is also scheduled to meet Maldivian nationals residing in Pakistan during his stay.
The three-day state visit represents a significant diplomatic engagement between the two countries, particularly as they seek to deepen cooperation during the 60th anniversary of their bilateral relationship.
With the ceremonial welcome concluded, attention now turns to the discussions between President Muizzu and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the agreements expected to be signed during the visit.
