Former President Yameen says he would have rejected honorary doctorate from Pakistan

Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen has stated that he would have rejected and protested against an honorary doctorate from Pakistan if it had been offered to him. Speaking at a Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) meeting, Yameen expressed his surprise over the decision to award the honor to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, questioning the rationale behind the recognition. Yameen said that if Pakistan had considered giving him the same honor, he would have lodged a protest. He also commented that when a country awards a credential that a leader does not possess, it diminishes the value of the awarding nation. Yameen noted that Pakistan has an embassy in the Maldives and should be aware of how Muizzu's actions reflect on the country, adding that the discussion in the nation is about Muizzu's labor policies. The honorary doctorate was conferred on President Muizzu by the International Islamic University in Islamabad, Pakistan, in the field of Politics and International Relations, during an event hosted by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.