Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged to take swift action to achieve the trade targets agreed between the Maldives and Pakistan, as the two countries seek to expand economic cooperation.
Shehbaz made the remarks at the Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum in Islamabad, held during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing state visit to Pakistan.
Addressing the forum, Shehbaz described Muizzu’s visit as a historic milestone that would strengthen the longstanding brotherly ties between the two countries and bring significant progress in trade and investment.
He also thanked Muizzu for agreeing to increase bilateral trade from approximately USD 13 million to USD 200 million within the next two years, stressing the need to begin work without delay to achieve the target.
Shehbaz said a Pakistani delegation comprising relevant ministers and leading business figures would visit Malé within a week of Muizzu’s return to the Maldives. He called for discussions between the two countries to be translated into formal agreements.
Highlighting the importance of connectivity in strengthening bilateral relations, the Pakistani prime minister said he had directed the country’s civil aviation authorities to initiate direct flights between Pakistan and the Maldives.
He also instructed Pakistan’s maritime minister to quickly develop a plan for direct cargo services from Karachi or Gwadar to Malé to facilitate the transportation of goods by sea.
Welcoming Muizzu’s visit as the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years, Shehbaz praised the longstanding friendship and solidarity between the two nations. He also invited Muizzu to make another visit to Pakistan before the end of this year.
