President Muizzu Departs for Pakistan on First State Visit in a Decade

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed departed for Pakistan on Saturday, beginning a state visit that runs until 22 March. The visit, at the invitation of Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, is the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in ten years and coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, which were established on 26 July 1966. During the visit, President Muizzu is scheduled to meet Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and other senior officials. Bilateral talks will focus on strengthening ties, and the two leaders will witness the exchange of several memoranda of understanding covering various areas of cooperation. A delegation comprising ministers, members of parliament, and senior government officials is accompanying the President. The President's Office said the visit is part of the 'Maldives First' foreign policy, which prioritises close relations with neighbouring countries and builds international partnerships to advance national development.