Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has again cancelled his visit to the Maldives after initially accepting the invitation to attend Maldives’ independence celebrations on Tuesday.
President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom had extended an invitation to Sharif to attend the official function as the Chief Guest which according to sources was accepted in June.
However, the Pakistani PM has for the second time turned down the invitation to be a part of independence day celebrations.
Sharif was originally slated to be the chief guest of the official function to mark the 50th Anniversary of Independence last year before Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena.
Sharif cancelled the visit after flash flooding caused by torrential monsoon rains has killed many and affected hundreds of thousands of people in Pakistan last July.
President's Office spokesperson in a Tweet said no head of state would be present for the official independence day ceremony.
When asked the reason behind Sharif's cancelled visit, Muaz insisted that the government had not announced that the Pakistan PM would visit the Maldives for July 26.
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