Islamabad: Pakistan and the Maldives agreed on Wednesday to increase bilateral trade to USD 200 million within two years as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu witnessed the exchange of 20 agreements and memorandums of understanding.
The commitments came during Muizzu’s state visit from October 20 to 22, the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years. The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, established on July 26, 1966.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Shehbaz said existing trade of USD 13.9 million represented only a fraction of the two countries’ potential. Reaching the new target would require trade to grow more than fourteenfold.
Muizzu endorsed the goal, saying the relationship should deliver practical benefits through investment, tourism and stronger commercial links.
The agreements cover health, education, technical training, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, civil aviation, information technology, policing, defence and maritime security.
Beyond the headline target, the leaders identified transport links and business engagement as priorities. Pakistan’s official readout said they supported improved air and maritime connectivity and an early meeting of the Joint Economic Commission. Islamabad also offered essential food commodities and pharmaceuticals through government arrangements.
Muizzu said discussions were continuing on establishing direct flights. He also identified halal and Muslim friendly tourism as potential areas of cooperation and said a bilateral business forum scheduled for October 22 would bring together investors and entrepreneurs. No flight launch date was announced.
Education and healthcare remain established pillars of the relationship. Shehbaz said about 250 Pakistani doctors, alongside paramedics, were serving in the Maldives and offered additional professionals to meet the country’s requirements.
Pakistan also announced 20 additional undergraduate scholarships annually for Maldivian students. Muizzu said the discussions included expanding medical placements under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme and exploring internships in Pakistan for Maldivian medical graduates.
Environmental cooperation featured prominently. Pakistan pledged 100000 olive cuttings and 100000 seeds of different plant species to support the Maldives’ initiative to plant five million trees.
Shehbaz also offered technical cooperation on data centres, saying Pakistan could share its experience and expertise.
On regional affairs, both leaders reiterated support for Palestinian self determination. Shehbaz briefed Muizzu on Pakistan’s position on Jammu and Kashmir and its concerns over India placing the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.
He said binding treaties must be respected and shared water resources must not become instruments of political pressure, reiterating Pakistan’s position that water was a red line.
Muizzu also supported efforts to revitalise the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, saying the Maldives was ready to work with member states towards an early summit.
The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) conferred an honorary doctorate in politics and international relations on Muizzu during the visit.
Both leaders emphasised implementation, with Shehbaz pledging personal engagement to translate the agreements into action. Muizzu said the next step was to turn the understandings into tangible opportunities for people in both countries.
