The Pakistan–Maldives Parliamentary Friendship Group held its first briefing session at Parliament House in Islamabad, bringing together parliamentarians and senior officials to discuss ways to deepen bilateral ties between the two countries. The meeting focused on boosting trade, investment, and tourism, as well as enhancing parliamentary and cultural cooperation.
Chaired by MNA Shaista Khan, the session included a range of participants from the Friendship Group and special invitees. Attendees heard detailed briefings from Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the Maldives and senior representatives from the Foreign Affairs and Commerce ministries. These presentations highlighted the current status of Pakistan–Maldives relations and identified key areas for further collaboration, particularly in establishing direct flight routes, starting ferry services, and promoting mutual tourism opportunities.
During the meeting, Shaista Khan proposed the creation of a counterpart Parliamentary Friendship Group within the Maldives Parliament to formalize and strengthen bilateral engagement. She stressed the importance of increasing government-to-government contact, encouraging cultural exchanges, promoting tourism, and fostering deeper parliamentary cooperation.
Members of the group expressed their strong commitment to advancing the relationship between Pakistan and the Maldives. They voiced their support for the ongoing efforts of Pakistan’s diplomatic missions and agreed on the need to develop formal channels of communication with the Maldives Parliament, aiming to enhance inter-parliamentary dialogue and collaboration in the future.
