{
  "id": 15859299,
  "title": "PM Shehbaz vows to strengthen Maldives ties for 'all time to come'; 20 MoUs signed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/pm-shehbaz-vows-to-strengthen-maldives-ties-for-all-time-to-come-20",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T07:42:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2038736/pm-shehbaz-vows-to-strengthen-maldives-ties-for-all-time-to-come-20-mous-signed"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif affirmed on Wednesday his intent to fortify Pakistan's bonds with the Maldives, as the two nations inked 20 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's three-day visit. Muizzu's arrival in Islamabad on Tuesday was an invitation by Shehbaz Sharif, marking the first Maldivian president's trip to Pakistan in 11 years, as both countries commemorate the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 1966. Addressing a joint press conference, Shehbaz Sharif declared, \"There is no doubt that the two countries will continue to strengthen these relations for all time to come.\" The premier warmly welcomed Muizzu and his delegation, wishing the people of Dhivehi Raajje a nation whose spirit is as vast as the ocean that surrounds it. The MoUs, signed in the presence of both leaders, covered defense cooperation, maritime security, IT, cybersecurity, AI, illicit trafficking, health, food regulation, recruitment of health professionals, vocational training, youth and sports development, air connectivity enhancement, police academies cooperation, and various pacts in agriculture, trade, fisheries, environment, education, tourism, and arts and culture. Before the MoU signing, Muizzu was greeted at Prime Minister House with a guard of honor, participated in introductions with federal ministers, and planted a sapling. He also offered prayers for the progress and prosperity of both countries. Muizzu will meet President Asif Ali Zardari and hold \"restricted and delegation-level\" talks with Shehbaz Sharbaz during his visit. A Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum will also be held to encourage interaction between the two countries' business communities and explore trade and investment opportunities. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Muizzu, expressing hope for concrete trade and investment outcomes from B2B engagements.",
  "summary": "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday vowed to strengthen Pakistan’s relations with the Maldives, as the two countries signed 20 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) during the visit of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday on a three-day visit at the invitation of PM Shehbaz Sharif. The visit marks the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years, and…",
  "key_points": [
    "Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif vows to strengthen Maldives ties indefinitely",
    "20 MoUs signed covering defense, IT, health, agriculture, tourism, arts",
    "Maldives President Muizzu visits Pakistan for first time in 11 years"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Expanding cooperation across defense, technology, and trade signals a strategic effort to deepen bilateral ties and revitalize economic engagement between Pakistan and the Maldives after an eleven-year diplomatic gap.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "PM Shehbaz vows to strengthen Maldives ties for 'all time to come'; 20 MoUs signed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/pm-shehbaz-vows-to-strengthen-maldives-ties-for-all-time-to-come-20-15861059",
        "published": "2026-10-21T08:11:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}