President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has instructed the Maldivian Embassy in Pakistan to make the implementation of 20 newly signed bilateral agreements a top priority, stressing that the commitments must produce tangible benefits for both countries rather than remain on paper.
The President issued the directive during a visit to the Maldivian Embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday, where he met Ambassador Mohamed Thoha as part of his ongoing three-day state visit to Pakistan.
His remarks came hours after the Maldives and Pakistan exchanged 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) covering a broad range of sectors, including healthcare, education, defence, aviation, fisheries and trade.
President Muizzu said ensuring the agreements are translated into practical cooperation should now become a central responsibility of the Maldivian diplomatic mission in Islamabad.
He emphasised that the work required to implement the agreements would continue well beyond the conclusion of his official visit, calling for sustained coordination between the embassy and relevant government institutions.
The President also indicated that additional personnel should be considered if the embassy requires greater capacity to oversee and facilitate the implementation process.
The Maldivian Embassy in Islamabad currently operates with three employees, according to information shared during the meeting.
President Muizzu’s instructions place particular emphasis on the role of diplomatic missions in following up on agreements reached during high-level state visits, where commitments between governments often require further administrative and technical work before they can be implemented.
The agreements exchanged during the visit include arrangements aimed at restoring air connectivity between the Maldives and Pakistan, alongside cooperation in healthcare, education, defence, forensic services, fisheries, tourism and agriculture.
Other areas of cooperation include maritime security, information technology, cybersecurity, digital skills and the supply of essential commodities.
One agreement establishes cooperation between the State Trading Organization (STO) of the Maldives and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP), providing a framework for engagement on the supply of essential goods required by the Maldives.
The two governments have also agreed to strengthen cooperation in recruiting healthcare professionals, an area of particular importance to the Maldives given its reliance on foreign medical personnel in parts of the healthcare sector.
In education, the agreements include cooperation in technical and vocational training, as well as institutional partnerships intended to support skills development.
The proposed expansion of air connectivity is another significant component of the agreements, with improved transport links potentially supporting tourism, business travel and trade between the two countries.
However, the implementation of these arrangements will depend on further coordination between the relevant authorities, including the development of operational plans and any additional procedures required under the agreements.
During the embassy meeting, Ambassador Thoha highlighted the close relationship maintained between the Maldives and Pakistan, revealing that the Pakistani government covers the rent of the Maldivian diplomatic mission in Islamabad.
The Ambassador cited the arrangement as an example of the support extended by Pakistan and the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
President Muizzu said the existing relationship provided an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly following the agreements reached during his visit.
Earlier on Wednesday, the President held discussions with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, with both leaders expressing their intention to deepen diplomatic and economic ties.
Following the talks, President Muizzu described the visit as an important milestone in relations between the Maldives and Pakistan, saying the agreements had opened new opportunities for cooperation across several fields.
He stressed, however, that the value of the agreements would ultimately depend on their implementation and the results delivered to the people of both countries.
The President’s emphasis on implementation comes as the two countries seek to expand their economic relationship, which has remained relatively limited despite six decades of diplomatic engagement.
During the bilateral discussions, Prime Minister Shehbaz announced a target of increasing trade between the Maldives and Pakistan from USD 13.9 million to USD 200 million within two years.
The ambitious target reflects efforts to translate the longstanding diplomatic partnership into greater commercial activity and institutional cooperation.
The Maldives and Pakistan established diplomatic relations in 1966 and are commemorating the 60th anniversary of their formal ties this year.
The two countries have historically cooperated in areas including education, defence training, healthcare and agriculture, while maintaining close diplomatic relations.
President Muizzu’s visit, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz, marks the first visit by a Maldivian head of state to Pakistan in 11 years.
With the agreements now exchanged, the President has made clear that the next phase of engagement must focus on delivering practical outcomes, placing the Maldivian Embassy in Islamabad at the centre of efforts to coordinate and advance the commitments reached during the visit.
