ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the Maldives have agreed to launch Pakistan Maldives direct flights, a move aimed at promoting tourism and strengthening bilateral ties.
Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu welcomed the ongoing discussions on establishing direct flights during his three-day state visit to Pakistan. He said better air connectivity would open new opportunities for tourism and bring the two countries closer.
President Muizzu was speaking at a joint ceremony with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He named tourism as a key area for future cooperation between the two countries.
He also pointed to the potential of halal and Muslim-friendly tourism. He noted that the two countries share values and experiences that could support joint initiatives in this segment.
Pakistan Maldives direct flights: what was agreed
The two sides agreed to work towards establishing direct flights, though a launch date and the cities to be connected have not been announced yet.
Direct flights would give travellers a direct option between the two countries. At present, there is no non-stop service, and the route matters for both tourism and business travel.
The aviation agreement came as part of a wider package. During the visit, Pakistan and the Maldives signed 20 agreements and memorandums of understanding covering tourism, information technology, health, education, agriculture, fisheries and defence.
The leaders also agreed to raise bilateral trade from 13.9 million dollars to 200 million dollars within the next two years. Our earlier coverage of this visit reported the MoU signings and the trade target in detail.
Why the visit matters beyond Pakistan Maldives direct flights
President Muizzu’s visit marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the Maldives, which were established in 1966.
It is also the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years, which gives the trip added weight.
The halal-tourism pitch is a notable part of the agenda. The Maldives is one of the world’s best-known beach destinations, and both sides see Muslim-friendly travel as a market where they can cooperate rather than compete.
Trade is the other pillar. The jump from 13.9 million to 200 million dollars in two years is ambitious, and direct flights would help by making business travel between the two countries easier.
What happens next
Aviation officials from both countries will now take the discussions forward. Route rights, airline interest and commercial viability will decide how soon the first direct flight takes off.
For now, the political signal is clear. Both governments want the air link, and they have tied it to a broader push on tourism, trade and people-to-people contact.
Frequently asked questions
Have Pakistan and the Maldives agreed on direct flights?
Yes. The two countries agreed to explore direct air links during Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s three-day state visit to Pakistan.
Why do Pakistan Maldives direct flights matter?
Direct flights would boost tourism and make business travel easier, supporting the two countries’ plan to raise bilateral trade to 200 million dollars in two years.
What else was agreed during the visit?
The two countries signed 20 agreements and MoUs covering tourism, IT, health, education, agriculture, fisheries and defence, and marked 60 years of diplomatic relations.
