Islamabad (GNP): Pakistan and the Maldives signed a package of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to deepen cooperation in sectors including defence, IT, cybersecurity, health, education, social protection, agriculture and tourism.
The agreements were concluded during the three-day state visit of Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the first by a Maldivian president in 11 years, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Muizzu witnessed the ceremony, at which representatives of both sides exchanged the pre-signed documents.
The agreements include one on cooperation in information technology, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital skills, and technology and innovation, and another on combating illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
The two sides also signed MoUs on social protection and on health cooperation, including one between the Maldives Food and Drug Authority and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan. Further agreements cover the recruitment of health professionals, defence ties and maritime security cooperation.
To boost agricultural cooperation, the countries signed an MoU on agriculture and a separate one on fisheries. In education, they agreed on collaboration in technical and vocational education and training, along with a broader MoU on educational cooperation.
Documents were also exchanged on youth and sports development, air connectivity, tourism, and arts, culture and heritage.
MoUs were signed between:
- the National College of Policy and Law Enforcement of the Maldives Police Service and the National Police Academy, Islamabad;
- the Civil Service Commission of Maldives and the Federal Public Service Commission of Pakistan;
- the Civil Service Commission of Maldives and Pakistan’s Civil Service Academy (CSA).
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To strengthen commercial ties, the Maldives State Trading Organisation (STO) and the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) signed an MoU on trade in agricultural commodities, food and other products. A further agreement covers cooperation on the environment.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
