ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan-Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Group (PFG), convened by MNA Ms Shaista Khan, held a meeting with a visiting parliamentary delegation from the Republic of Maldives at the Constitution Room, Parliament House, on September 22, 2026.
The meeting was attended by Members of the National Assembly Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, Ms Sabheen Ghoury, Ms Akhtar Bibi, Ms Asia Naz Tanoli, Ms Mah Jabeen Khan Abbasi, Mr Isphanyar M. Bhandara and Mr Sanjay Perwani.
The discussion centred on further strengthening bilateral relations, parliamentary cooperation, economic engagement, connectivity, tourism and people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Maldives.
Welcoming the visiting delegation, the convener said Pakistan and Maldives enjoy longstanding and cordial relations rooted in mutual respect, shared values and close people-to-people ties. She stressed that sustained parliamentary engagement could help further consolidate bilateral relations and enable both sides to benefit from each other’s legislative and parliamentary experiences.
Ms Shaista Khan described the Parliamentary Friendship Group mechanism as an important forum for regular institutional engagement. She expressed the desire for more frequent interaction between parliamentarians of the two countries, including reciprocal visits and virtual exchanges. She also underlined the need to strengthen wider people-to-people contacts and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The Maldivian delegation appreciated the warm welcome and hospitality extended by the National Assembly of Pakistan and reaffirmed the importance of the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries. The delegation called for renewed efforts to reconnect the peoples of Pakistan and Maldives through increased parliamentary, institutional and people-to-people interaction.
The Maldivian side highlighted scope for enhanced cooperation in medical services, food, construction, tourism, fishing and other sectors, pointing to practical opportunities arising from Pakistan’s proximity and expertise. It also stressed the importance of direct air connectivity between Pakistan and Maldives, particularly to facilitate tourism, business, medical travel and people-to-people contacts.
Participants observed that improved connectivity could open greater opportunities for businesses and citizens of both countries to interact and strengthen mutually beneficial links. The Maldivian side also referred to the forthcoming visit of the President of Maldives to Pakistan as an important opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Members of the Pakistan-Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Group shared views on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, healthcare, education, information technology, skills development, agriculture, tourism and business-to-business linkages.
They said Pakistan’s expertise and human resource capabilities could contribute to priority areas for Maldives, including healthcare and skills development, while also noting opportunities for greater agricultural, commercial and technological cooperation. The Pakistani side also reiterated the importance of direct air connectivity as a key enabler of tourism, trade, medical travel and broader public interaction.
The members emphasised that businesses and institutions from both countries should be connected to translate existing goodwill into practical cooperation.
The participants underscored the significance of parliamentary diplomacy, high-level exchanges, connectivity and people-to-people contacts in further consolidating Pakistan-Maldives relations. Both sides expressed their resolve to maintain regular engagement through the Parliamentary Friendship Groups and other appropriate channels, and to explore new avenues of cooperation for the mutual benefit of the two countries.
