The decision has been made to exchange an agreement between Maldives and Pakistan to resume direct flights between both nations.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu shared the decision about the agreement during his current diplomatic visit to Pakistan.

The President's Office stated the signing of the agreement to resume direct flights between Maldives and Pakistan for the purpose of tourism expansion will take place in Male' on a later date.

According to an announcement from Pakistan's national airline Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) last month, arrangements for direct flights to Maldives have been made with the addition of new planes to their fleet.

There was a discussion held regarding the commencement of direct travel routes between the two nations via air and sea during former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's diplomatic visit to Maldives in 2017. PIA announced in 2022 that direct flights to Maldives would begin.

Pakistan conducted direct flights to Maldives some time ago.

This is the first time a Maldivian president has gone on such a visit to Pakistan in the last 10 years. 

The most recent visit was by former President Abdulla Yameen in 2015, and before that, the only president to have gone to Pakistan was former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. President Muizzu is the third Maldivian president to have gone to Pakistan.

And so, Pakistan has placed a special priority on President Muizzu's first diplomatic visit. In addition to official discussions and the signing of 20 Memorandum of Understanding's (MoU), a formal dinner will be held by Pakistan's President and Prime Minister with President Muizzu as the honored guest.

During President Muizzu's visit, he will be meeting with Maldivians who reside in Pakistan, along with Maldives hosting a business forum.

The President's Office highlighted that the visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Pakistan, established on 26 July 1966.