Pakistan and the Maldives reaffirmed a commitment to deepen parliamentary and bilateral cooperation across trade, tourism, education, climate resilience, defense, and youth engagement during a meeting between the Executive Committee of the Pakistan–Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Group and a visiting Maldivian parliamentary delegation in Islamabad. Both sides emphasized expanding people-to-people links, boosting trade and connectivity, and coordinating on regional and global issues.
The session, chaired by Dr. Shaista Khan, Member of the National Assembly and Convener of the Pakistan–Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Group, welcomed the Maldivian delegation to Parliament House, Islamabad. Dr. Khan underlined the importance of parliamentary diplomacy for strengthening institutional ties, fostering goodwill, and sustaining long-term cooperation between the two countries.
Speakers noted the long-standing foundation of Pakistan–Maldives relations built on goodwill, shared faith, and mutual respect. Delegates highlighted Pakistan’s financial support for the Maldivian Parliament building—provided through a grant of over four million dollars and later supplemented with refurbishment assistance—as a visible symbol of bilateral friendship.
Several Pakistani parliamentarians urged broader collaboration across key economic and social sectors. Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, Mohammad Usman Badini, Dr. Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Sabheen Ghori, and Amjad Ali Khan called for strengthened ties in trade, youth development, agriculture, health, information technology, and digital cooperation. They stressed the need for enhanced business-to-business partnerships, academic and cultural exchanges, and direct air and sea connectivity.
The Maldivian delegation, led by H.E. Husnee Mubarak and including MPs Mohamed Shahid, Yoosuf Nasheed, and Abdul Sazee, along with senior parliamentary officials, expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s historical support and reiterated their desire to deepen bilateral ties. They identified tourism and fisheries as priority sectors and sought cooperation in renewable energy, agriculture—including mango exports—education, vocational training, and scholarship programs.
Both sides acknowledged the potential to expand bilateral trade, which currently remains under nine million US dollars annually. Pakistan outlined its export capabilities in textiles, rice, cement, fruits, vegetables, pharmaceuticals, and construction materials, while the Maldivian delegation suggested exploring tuna exports to Pakistan. Education and training were highlighted as critical areas of cooperation; Pakistan already offers scholarships in medicine, engineering, dentistry, and pharmacy under its technical assistance program, and both parties agreed to expand exchange and vocational training opportunities. Delegates also proposed launching direct flights to enhance trade, tourism, and cultural and academic connectivity.
Tourism emerged as a central theme, with Pakistani parliamentarians noting opportunities to learn from the Maldivian one-island-one-resort model while promoting Pakistan’s scenic regions such as the Swat Valley as joint tourism offerings. Maldivian representatives invited Pakistani delegates to visit and study local resort practices, and both sides proposed cultural expos to showcase skills, heritage, and women’s empowerment initiatives. Emphasis was placed on engaging youth and women in bilateral programs.
Climate resilience and defense cooperation were also important topics. The Maldives’ leadership in global climate advocacy was recognized, and Pakistan expressed readiness to collaborate on renewable energy, environmental protection, and climate resilience efforts. Both countries supported finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation and conducting regular staff-level talks. Regional peace featured prominently, with Pakistan reaffirming its commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with United Nations resolutions, and both delegations expressing solidarity on international concerns including the situation in Gaza.
Delegates discussed expanding sports diplomacy through cricket and football exchanges, with Maldivian representatives suggesting engagement with prominent Pakistani cricket figures to help develop the sport in the Maldives. The growing popularity of Pakistani television serials and cultural exports in the Maldives was cited as further strengthening people-to-people bonds.
The meeting concluded with a mutual pledge to continue parliamentary exchanges, promote cultural and business ties, and deepen cooperation across all sectors, reaffirming parliamentary diplomacy as the cornerstone of the two countries’ engagement.
