Maldivian to launch direct Maldives-Karachi flights, says President Muizzu

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that direct flights between the Maldives and Karachi, Pakistan, will commence soon, with national carrier Maldivian set to operate the route.

The announcement was made on Thursday evening during the Maldives Business Forum held in Islamabad as part of President Muizzu's official visit to Pakistan.

Speaking at the forum, attended by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Muizzu said the introduction of direct flights between the Maldives and Karachi would improve connectivity and create opportunities for trade and tourism between the two countries.

The announcement follows the signing of 20 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the Maldives and Pakistan on Wednesday, including an agreement concerning the resumption of air services between the two countries.

President Muizzu also called on Pakistani private airlines, aviation authorities and companies in both countries to explore opportunities to expand direct air connectivity beyond the planned Maldivian service.

He further encouraged shipping companies, port operators and logistics businesses to strengthen maritime transport links between the two countries.

"I encourage shipping lines, port operators and logistics companies in both countries to establish direct and commercially viable transport links between the Maldives and Pakistan," the President said.

During his address, President Muizzu highlighted an agreement between the two leaders to increase bilateral trade from USD 13 million to USD 200 million.

He said the target was achievable and reflected a commitment to generating investment opportunities that would benefit both countries.

The President invited Pakistani businesses to invest in cold-chain logistics, temperature-controlled warehousing, food processing and climate-smart agricultural technologies in the Maldives.

"We are not merely creating new opportunities for businesses in both countries. This will also contribute to greater prosperity and stability in the region," President Muizzu said.

He noted that the Maldives should not be viewed solely as a domestic market of approximately 500,000 people, pointing out that the country receives more than two million tourists annually.

President Muizzu said Pakistan already supplies agricultural products to the Maldives but stressed the need to expand trade in the sector.

"We already benefit from Pakistan's agricultural sector. However, this trade needs to be expanded further," he said.

President Muizzu arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

During the visit, he held meetings with Prime Minister Sharif and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, alongside official bilateral discussions aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

The visit marks the first official trip to Pakistan by a Maldivian president in a decade, a milestone also acknowledged by the Pakistani government.