Maldives President Receives Guard of Honour at PM House

ISLAMABAD: Maldives President Dr Mohamed Muizzu received a guard of honour at the Prime Minister’s House in Islamabad on Wednesday, where Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warmly welcomed him during an official reception.

The national anthems of Pakistan and the Maldives were played during the ceremony. The two leaders shook hands, exchanged greetings and introduced their respective delegations. A contingent from the three armed forces presented a guard of honour to the visiting president, who also inspected the guard.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif introduced members of his cabinet and senior officials to President Muizzu, who introduced members of his delegation to the prime minister. The Maldivian president also planted a sapling on the lawn of the Prime Minister’s House, and prayers were offered for the progress and prosperity of both countries.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar met President Muizzu and welcomed him and his delegation to Pakistan. He conveyed the best wishes of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the Maldivian president.

According to the Foreign Office, Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to its long-standing friendly relations with the Maldives and stressed the need to expand cooperation in trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism.

He also welcomed the participation of the Maldivian business delegation in the Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum and expressed hope that the forum would create new opportunities for trade and investment between the two countries.

President Muizzu thanked Pakistan for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He expressed his country’s commitment to further strengthening relations with Pakistan and exploring new areas of cooperation for mutual benefit.

President Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on October 20 for a three-day state visit, accompanied by First Lady Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation comprising cabinet ministers and senior officials.

During the visit, he is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, who will host a state banquet in his honour. He will also hold talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The two sides are expected to review bilateral relations and explore ways to increase cooperation in trade, investment, health, education, tourism, agriculture, defence, maritime security, climate change and people-to-people contacts. They will also exchange views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.

The Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum will bring together business communities from both countries to explore new trade and investment opportunities. According to the Foreign Office, several agreements and memorandums of understanding covering different areas of cooperation are expected to be signed during the visit.

The visit is the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years. It also comes as the two countries mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1966.

Pakistan and the Maldives share close relations based on shared faith, mutual respect and longstanding goodwill. The visit reflects their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation for the benefit of both countries.