High Commissioner: Maldives-Pakistan have high-level visits ahead, expect ‘joyful’ news

Pakistan's High Commissioner to the Maldives, Vice Admiral (Retired) Faisal Rasul Lodhi, has stated that the relationship between the Maldives and Pakistan is strengthening further, with more high-level visits expected in the future, and that both countries can anticipate good news from these ties.

Speaking on Sun Online's "Diplomatic Focus" program, Lodhi said that high-level leadership engagements and exchange visits are extremely important for strengthening bilateral relations between any countries.

While it was unfortunate that there was a gap in such visits between 2018 and 2023, he noted that these engagements have resumed and are steadily gaining momentum since last year.

Detailing the ongoing engagements between the two nations, Lodhi noted that under plans coordinated by both governments last year, the Speaker of the Maldivian Parliament, Abdul Raheem Abdulla, led a delegation on a visit to Pakistan. Subsequently, in December last year, the Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly visited the Maldives with a delegation, and a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the parliaments of the two countries.

Furthermore, Lodhi stated that a delegation comprising the Speaker of the Maldivian Parliament and 20 other parliamentarians recently concluded an official week-long visit to Pakistan, under the framework of that MoU. He highlighted that during this visit, they observed the work of important parliamentary committees in Pakistan and held numerous fruitful discussions beneficial to both sides.

Lodhi added that establishing such systematic institutional mechanisms is crucial for transforming the friendship between the two nations into concrete, beneficial activities. He also mentioned that there are signs that more visits at various levels, particularly at the highest levels, will continue to take place, and both governments will announce these visits when the time comes.

"We are Muslims. We always expect good, joyful news from Allah. Insha'Allah, the relationship between the two countries will also bring forth very good and joyful news," he said.