President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed attended a State Banquet hosted in their honour by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the official residence of Pakistan’s President, on Wednesday evening.
The banquet was attended by Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials from both the Maldives and Pakistan.
Following the meeting and banquet, President Muizzu expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended to him, the First Lady and the Maldivian delegation, describing the occasion as an opportunity to reaffirm the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
“It was a distinct pleasure to meet with His Excellency President Asif Ali Zardari, this evening and to attend the gracious State Banquet hosted in our honour,” Muizzu said.
He said their discussions had reaffirmed the enduring bonds of brotherhood between the Maldives and Pakistan, rooted in shared faith, values, mutual respect and strong people-to-people ties.
“I am deeply encouraged by our shared commitment to further strengthening this cherished friendship, deepening bilateral cooperation, and advancing our common aspirations for peace, progress, and prosperity,” the President added.
President Muizzu is undertaking a State Visit to Pakistan from 20 to 22 October 2026. The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Pakistan, which were formally established on 26 July 1966.
During the visit, the two countries have also exchanged 20 memoranda of understanding aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors.
