Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu receives guard of honour in Islamabad
Muizzu was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on October 21 during the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years. Talks and a business forum were also on the itinerary.
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu received a guard of honour at Pakistan’s Prime Minister House in Islamabad on October 21, 2026, as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed him during a three-day state visit. The ceremony marked a completed step in the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years, with diplomatic talks and business meetings also on the itinerary.
Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on October 20 at Sharif’s invitation. An earlier NewsJaws report covered the planned October 20–22 state visit; Wednesday’s reception showed that the visit had begun and its formal welcome had taken place.
What happened at Prime Minister House
Dawn reported that Muizzu shook hands with Pakistani federal ministers while Sharif greeted the Maldivian delegation. Geo News reported that the two leaders exchanged pleasantries and stood at the salute dais as both countries’ national anthems were played. According to Dawn, Muizzu also planted a sapling at Prime Minister House, where prayers were offered for the two countries’ progress and prosperity.
APP, in a report published by Aaj English, said the leaders introduced their delegations after the ceremony and proceeded to one-on-one and delegation-level discussions. The report described the discussions as the next part of the visit; it did not announce an outcome from them.
Talks and trade meetings during Muizzu’s visit
Earlier on October 21, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Muizzu in Islamabad. Citing Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Dawn reported that Dar welcomed the president and his delegation. Geo News reported that Dar conveyed greetings from Pakistan’s president and prime minister and discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, education, climate change and tourism.
Dawn reported that a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari and a Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum were planned during the visit. The forum was intended to bring the countries’ business communities together to explore trade and investment opportunities. Geo News, citing the Foreign Office, said several agreements and memorandums of understanding were expected to be signed; it was not yet clear which, if any, had been completed.
The visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the Maldives, established in 1966. Dawn reported that the last Maldivian presidential visit to Pakistan was a two-day state visit by Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in May 2015.
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Sources and context
- Visiting Maldives president welcomed at PM House with guard of honourDawn
- Maldives president accorded guard of honour at PM HouseGeo News
- Maldives President Dr Muizzu given guard of honour at PM HouseAPP, republished by Aaj English
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.