Pakistan and Maldives target $200m trade and direct flights
Direct flights between Pakistan and the Maldives are on the horizon after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed civil aviation authorities to prepare a feasibility study.
Shehbaz Seeks Direct Flights Between Pakistan and Maldives
Prime Minister Shehbaz announced the directive during the Pakistan-Maldives Business Forum in Islamabad. The forum coincided with a three-day visit by Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, marking the first visit by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years. The two nations are currently marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations established in 1966.
“I want to say that connectivity is very important,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said, noting the absence of direct flights between Malé and Islamabad or Karachi. He instructed the civil aviation ministry to evaluate options involving Pakistan International Airlines or other domestic carriers to operate an initial flight carrying tourists and business representatives to Malé.
President Muizzu responded by announcing that the Maldivian national airline, Maldivian, aims to establish a direct air link between Malé and Karachi. Muizzu stated that the service will facilitate travel and create new opportunities for bilateral trade and tourism.
Delighted to address the Maldives–Pakistan Business Forum today in Islamabad, as our two nations commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations.My sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) for gracing the Forum and highlighting the key priorities that will… pic.twitter.com/zW6g8b5ZBF
Maritime Connectivity and Trade Targets
Alongside aviation talks, Prime Minister Shehbaz emphasized the necessity of reliable maritime shipping schedules linking Karachi and Gwadar directly to Malé to meet bilateral targets efficiently. President Muizzu echoed the sentiment, describing maritime connectivity as an economic lifeline for an island nation dependent on resilient supply chains.
Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan provided baseline trade figures showing that current bilateral trade volume sits at approximately $13 million. During the meetings, President Muizzu agreed to a target of increasing bilateral trade to $200 million over the next two years. To advance this goal, a delegation of Pakistani government officials and business leaders will travel to Malé within the week.
Sector-Specific Cooperation Goals
President Muizzu outlined several areas for expanded economic collaboration beyond traditional export and import models. He identified food security as a primary national security priority for the Maldives, pointing to opportunities in cold chain logistics, temperature-controlled storage, modern food processing, and climate-adaptive agricultural technology.
Additional sectors highlighted for partnership include renewable energy, with the Maldives aiming to source 33 percent of its national electricity requirements from renewable sources by 2028. President Muizzu also invited Pakistani pharmaceutical manufacturers, healthcare providers, construction firms, and engineering companies to participate in Malé’s ongoing infrastructure, housing, and island-level medical facility projects.