ISLAMABAD (The Thursday Times) — Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu underscored the importance of strengthening defence cooperation between their countries when they met in Islamabad on Wednesday, on the second day of the first visit to Pakistan by a Maldivian president in 11 years.
“Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening defence cooperation, institutional linkages and professional exchanges,” Radio Pakistan reported. The two leaders discussed matters of mutual interest, the regional security environment and ways to widen bilateral cooperation.
Munir spoke of the “longstanding and cordial relations” between Pakistan and the Maldives and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and security. Muizzu praised the professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces and their efforts to promote stability in the region.
Twenty agreements
Muizzu arrived on Tuesday for a three-day visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, marking 60 years of diplomatic relations. Earlier on Wednesday the two governments signed 20 memorandums of understanding, including one on defence ties and maritime security, alongside others on cybersecurity, narcotics control, health, policing, fisheries, tourism and air connectivity.
The leaders agreed to raise bilateral trade from $13.9 million to $200 million within two years, and Pakistan pledged 100,000 olive cuttings for the Maldives’ five-million-tree drive. The Maldivian delegation includes Defence Minister Hassan Rasheed and Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam.
Munir later attended a state banquet hosted by President Asif Ali Zardari for the visiting leader, along with Shehbaz and the chiefs of the navy, air force and National Strategic Command. In September, the speaker of the Maldivian parliament, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, called on Munir in Rawalpindi.∎
