Outgoing Pakistani High Commissioner to the Maldives, Vice Admiral (Retired) Muhammad Fayyaz Gilani, offered heartfelt thanks to the Maldivian people on Sunday, as he left Male’ after completing his two-year tenure.
Gilani began his tenure as the top Pakistani envoy to the Maldives on November 10, 2022. He presented his credential to the then-Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on November 29, 2022.
He delivered a video message on Sunday evening, as he left the Maldives after completing his tenure.
In his message, Gilani said he had a great experience working in the Maldives, “where I was fortunate to have affection, care and hospitality of our Maldivian brothers and sisters across the country.”
He also thanked Maldivians and Pakistanis for the cooperation extended to him during his tenure.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Maldivian and Pakistani fellows for close cooperation and the great time in this great country, Maldives,” he said.
H.E. Vice Admiral (R) Muhammad Fayyaz Gilani, High Commissioner extended best wishes to Pakistani fellows and brothers & sisters in the Maldives, while leaving for Pakistan today on completion of his tenure in the Maldives.....⬇️
— Pakistan in Maldives (@PakinMaldives) November 10, 2024
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“My best wishes and prayers for all. May Allah SWT be protector for all of us. Amen. Long live Pakistan-Maldives brotherhood.”
Before he left the Maldives, Gilani paid a farewell call on Maldivian Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel at his office on November 5.
During the meeting, Gilani said that it had been a pleasure working to enhance the bilateral ties between Maldives and Pakistan, and also expressed confidence that the relations will continue to further strengthen in the times to come.
Meanwhile, Khaleel thanked Gilani for his invaluable contribution to strengthening the bilateral relations between Maldives and Pakistan, and wished him every success in his future endeavors.
During his tenure, Gilani oversaw various donations made from the Pakistani government, including resources to several schools.
Maldives and Pakistan enjoy historical and close relations. Maldives established official diplomatic relations with Pakistan on July 26, 1966, soon after gaining independence on July 26, 1965.
Maldives also cooperates closely and shares common views with Pakistan both bilaterally and in the international fora on a range of international issues of mutual interest such as sustainable development, climate change, advancing multilateralism, and countering terrorism.
The first resident diplomatic mission in Islamabad was established on July 31, 2008. Both countries are members of the Commonwealth, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).