Maldives parliament approves new Ambassadors to Turkey, Pakistan
Thoha holds a PhD in Law from the Islamic University of Malaysia.
By
Mohamed Muzayyin Nazim
The Parliament on Sunday approved the appointment of former Chief of Defense and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef as Maldives' first ambassador to Turkey and former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammad Thoha as Ambassador to Pakistan.
President Mohammed Muizzu sent the names of the two to Parliament on May 11 for approval. The Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament, which reviewed the nominations, also decided to recommend the appointment.
The committee's report was presented to the Parliament on Sunday and both were approved by 82 votes. No members voted against.
The decision to open an embassy in Turkey was taken during President Muizzu's first visit there last December. The government announced the establishment of the embassy in February.
Abdul Raheem, who was appointed as the Turkish ambassador, retired from the MNDF in April after 39 years of military service. He has since been appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
He retired from the army with honours, after reaching the age of 60 as per the Defence Act. He joined the service on 18 February 1985. He was the Vice Chief of Defense in the last government.
Thoha, who approved the appointment as Pakistan’s ambassador, was appointed state minister of foreign affairs in March. Prior to that, he worked in the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Prosecutor General's Office.
He holds a PhD in Law from the Islamic University of Malaysia.
