Pakistan has informed the Maldives’ top diplomat Dr Mohamed Asim that it would not interfere with the island nation’s civil matters despite its opposition to the ongoing state of emergency, revealed Pakistani media Saturday.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Asim was informed of Pakistan’s stance during his meeting with the nation’s Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Asim had met with him as a special representative of President Abdulla Yameen to explain the current situation of the Maldives.
The reports cited Abbasi as having expressed deep concerns over the state of emergency and political turmoil in the Maldives. However, Abbasi had assured Asim that the Pakistani government would adhere to the standards of the United Nations and refrain from intervening in the domestic affairs of the island nation.
According to the media, Abbasi had highlighted that they had opposed their former president General Pervez Musharraf’s decision to defy a Supreme Court order and declare a state of emergency in 2007, and thus could not support the Maldives’ current state of affairs.
Reports added that Abbasi had also emphasized the bond between Pakistan and the Maldives as one built on mutual respect.
Meanwhile, the Maldivian government is yet to make any official statements regarding Asim’s visit to Pakistan.
Several foreign forces had voiced concerns over the government’s refusal to execute the apex court’s landmark order to free political prisoners earlier this month, including countries such as India, Sri Lanka, USA, Germany and UK, and organisations including Amnesty International and the UN Human Rights Council.
Amidst pressure to comply with the ruling unconditionally, President Yameen had declared a state of emergency on February 5, and subsequently arrested Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Judge Ali Hameed, Judicial Administrator Hassan Saeed and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on bribery accusations.
Despite the heightening criticism and pressure, Yameen maintained that executing the unprecedented apex court order would have obstructed the functioning of the nation and disrupted the order of Constitution. He also decided to send representatives to assure nations including Pakistan, India, China and Saudi Arabia, that the political situation of the Maldives is not critical.
Out of these nations, India has refused to meet with Yameen’s envoy, stating that the Maldives’ current state of affairs does not allow such a sit-down.
Meanwhile, following the arrests of Saeed and Hameed, the remaining three judges of the Supreme Court have revised the ruling to revoke the order to free the political prisoners.
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