Maldives-Karachi direct flights to begin soon: President Dr. Muizzu

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that Maldivian, the Maldives’ national airline, will soon launch direct flights between the Maldives and Karachi, Pakistan, as the two countries seek to strengthen trade, tourism and business ties.

The President made the announcement at the Maldives-Pakistan Business Forum in Islamabad on Thursday night, highlighting improved air connectivity as an important step towards unlocking greater economic opportunities between the two countries.

President Muizzu had also highlighted the potential for direct flights during his official talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, as both sides explored ways to expand bilateral trade, investment and tourism cooperation.

The business forum brought together representatives of the business communities of both countries to explore investment opportunities, strengthen commercial partnerships and identify areas for closer economic cooperation.

During the State Visit, the two countries also exchanged 20 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering a wide range of sectors, including health, education, tourism, fisheries, agriculture, information technology, defence and security.

The agreements aim to expand institutional cooperation and create opportunities for closer collaboration.

Pakistan also pledged to support the Maldives’ five-million-tree planting initiative by providing 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of various plant species.

President Muizzu’s State Visit to Pakistan, which concludes on 22 October, was undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

It marks the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years and coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established on 26 July 1966.