MALE – Pakistan’s Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Sunday became thefirst foreign dignitary to visit the Maldives after the 45-day emergencywas lifted last month.

According to Maldives government website, Bajwa paid a “courtesy call” onPresident Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom Sunday morning at the latter’s office.

Noting that Pakistan and the Maldives are two “brotherly Muslim nations”,Bajwa underlined the need for further cultivating existing ties offriendship and deepening cooperation in all fields.

President Gayoom welcomed General Bajwa to the Maldives and conveyed hisgreetings and good wishes to Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain and PrimeMinister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

A press release issued by the President’s Office read that Gayoom expressedhope and confidence that the Maldives and Pakistan will continue workingtogether on bilateral and international issues of common concern, tofurther strengthen the close ties of friendship and cooperation that existbetween the two countries.

Maldives Chief of Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam and the Ministerof State for Foreign Relations at the President’s Office Mohamed Naseerwere also present during the meeting.

General Bajwa was accompanied by Ambassador of Pakistan to the MaldivesVice Admiral Waseem Akram, PS to the Chief of Army Staff Brigadier IftikharHassan Chaudhry and Defence Adviser Colonel Sajjad Ali.