AGP Executive Report

Pakistan Ties: President Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit produced 20 cooperation agreements and a two-year target to lift trade from about $13 million to $200 million. Pakistan and the Maldives are also moving toward direct flights, with both governments directing officials to develop plans. Regional Relations: Indian naval training vessels arrived in Malé as the Maldives and Pakistan signed defence and maritime agreements, highlighting the country’s active regional partnerships. Rasmale’ Debate: Former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid called for full disclosure of the proposed waterfront and marina deal, warning that secrecy could damage investor confidence; lawyer Ali Hussain has appealed the rejection of his challenge to the project. Development Planning: A Maldivian delegation studying China’s development model says continuity between plans is a key challenge as the country prepares its 2040 vision. Flood Response: After heavy rain flooded Malé, the MNDF began pumping water from affected areas; authorities reported nearly 90 buildings seeking help.

Pakistan Visit: President Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit produced 20 agreements spanning trade, defence, education, health and technology, with Pakistan and the Maldives targeting $200 million in trade within two years, up from about $13.9 million. The sides also discussed direct flights and closer defence ties. Muizzu called for an early SAARC summit, whose meetings have been stalled since 2014. Regional Ties: The Maldives and Oman held their first political consultations, discussing tourism, fisheries, renewable energy and regional issues. Three Indian naval training vessels also arrived in Malé for joint activities with Maldivian forces. Rasmale’ Debate: MDP chairman Mohamed Nasheed cautioned party MPs to stick to official policy after a lawmaker sought disclosure of the government’s Eagle Hills agreement, raising concerns over its terms and public costs. Tree-Planting Plan: Pakistan’s pledge of 100,000 olive cuttings for the Maldives’ five-million-tree initiative drew criticism from experts who say the crop may not suit the islands’ tropical climate.

Pakistan Visit: President Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit produced 20 agreements covering defence, maritime security, health, education and other sectors, with Pakistan and the Maldives aiming to raise annual trade from $13.9 million to $200 million within two years. The sides also agreed to pursue direct air links and discussed defence cooperation. Regional Diplomacy: Muizzu called for an early SAARC summit, saying the Maldives was ready to help restart the bloc’s work, stalled since 2014. Rasmale’ Dispute: A ruling PNC MP branded critics of the proposed mega-project “traitors” during a debate on the opposition’s demand to disclose its terms; Muizzu says it could create 14,000 permanent jobs. Public Spending: Government salary spending has risen 14% to MVR 5.6 billion, while Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee approved a proposal to raise the Speaker’s salary to MVR 95,000.

Pakistan Visit: President Mohamed Muizzu’s state visit produced 20 agreements on defence, maritime security, technology, health, education and other fields. The countries set a goal of raising trade from $13.9 million to $200 million within two years and are discussing direct flights. The visit marks the first by a Maldivian president to Pakistan in 11 years, as the two countries celebrate 60 years of ties. Rasmale’ Project: Muizzu says the development will create about 14,000 permanent jobs and 54,000 during construction, and insists foreign nationals will not be allowed to own land. The project has also drawn opposition and concerns over land leases. Tourism Tax: The government has submitted a bill to repeal the tax on foreign tour operators and booking platforms, following industry objections; the change would also require refunds of tax collected since October 1. Public Safety: Police have opened an investigation into calls for an arson attack on key state buildings.

Pakistan Visit: President Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Islamabad for a three-day state visit, the first by a Maldivian president in 11 years. Talks with Pakistan’s leaders are expected to cover trade, defence, maritime security and other areas, with a business forum and cooperation agreements also planned as the countries mark 60 years of diplomatic ties. Tourism Tax: The government has asked Parliament to repeal the recently introduced 17% GST on overseas travel agents and booking platforms, following objections from industry stakeholders. Rasmalé Project: Muizzu said properties in the Eagle Hills development would be leased for 99 years and could only be resold to the Maldivian government, which would decide whether to transfer them to another buyer. He also rejected claims that the project would allow foreign religious settlements. Police Investigation: Police are investigating a former deputy minister’s deleted social media post urging arson attacks on the Supreme Court, President’s Office and Parliament.

Public Safety: Police are investigating a Facebook post by former deputy minister Hassan Zihan urging people to set fire to the Supreme Court, President’s Office and Parliament. Pakistan Visit: President Mohamed Muizzu has arrived in Islamabad for the first Maldivian presidential visit in 11 years. Talks with Pakistan’s leaders and a business forum will focus on trade, investment, health, education and defence, with cooperation agreements expected. Tourism Tax: The government has asked Parliament to repeal the 17% GST on overseas booking platforms and travel agents, less than a month after the tax took effect. Rasmale’ Project: Opponents have launched a silent protest calling for the suspension of the plan to allocate 500 hectares to UAE-based Eagle Hills, citing concerns over transparency. India Ties: India has agreed to roll over a USD 320 million currency swap facility for the Maldives, offering continued financial support.

Pakistan Visit: President Mohamed Muizzu begins a three-day state visit today, the first by a Maldivian president in 11 years. Talks are expected to cover trade, investment, defence and health, alongside a Maldives-Pakistan business forum and new agreements. Rasmale’ Opposition: Activists have launched a silent protest calling for the government to suspend the Eagle Hills project, which allocates 500 hectares for development. They cite concerns over transparency and sovereignty; the government says leases will not renew automatically. Judicial Controversy: In a Sun poll, 70.4% of respondents said the removal of three Supreme Court judges was politically motivated. The investigation into the judges was later closed for lack of evidence. Council By-election: Shujau Ali has secured the MDP ticket to contest the Thinadhoo Council presidency, a seat he lost after the Local Government Authority ruled he had switched parties.

Pakistan Visit: President Mohamed Muizzu begins a three-day state visit to Pakistan on October 20, the first by a Maldivian president in 11 years. Talks are expected to cover trade, investment, defence and maritime security, with agreements and a business forum planned. Financial Support: India has rolled over a roughly US$316 million currency-swap facility, giving the Maldives more time to repay existing financing—not new funds. Judicial Controversy: A Sun Poll found 70.4% of respondents believe the 2025 ouster of three Supreme Court judges was politically motivated; authorities later closed the investigation, citing a lack of evidence. Currency Controls: The central bank fined MS Finance MVR 500,000 and temporarily suspended its foreign-exchange licence over alleged violations of money-exchange rules. Rasmale’ Project: The government says Eagle Hills leases will not renew automatically and foreign parties will not own land under the proposed development.

Pakistan Visit: President Mohamed Muizzu begins a three-day state visit tomorrow, the first by a Maldivian president in 11 years. Talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif are expected to cover trade, investment, defence and maritime security, with a business forum and bilateral agreements also planned. Housing Support: The government has signed agreements with four financial institutions to launch equity assistance for first-time homebuyers and builders, offering up to MVR 250,000. Debt and Finance: Finance Minister Hassan Zareer says upcoming repayments are manageable, citing state revenue and Sovereign Development Fund contributions. India has also agreed to roll over the Maldives’ USD 320 million currency-swap facility. Rasmale’ Project: The government says leases under the Eagle Hills development will not renew automatically and foreign parties will not own land, responding to questions about the controversial project.

Pakistan Visit: President Mohamed Muizzu will make a state visit to Pakistan on October 20–22, the first by a Maldivian president in 11 years. Talks will cover trade, investment, defence and maritime security, with a business forum and several agreements expected. Rasmale’ Deal: The government says Eagle Hills’ leases will not renew automatically and foreign parties will not own land, after agreeing commercial terms for a 500-hectare project. The MDP has demanded details of the deal, keeping scrutiny on the proposed development. India Ties: India has approved a three-month rollover of the Maldives’ ₹30 billion currency-swap drawdown, worth about US$320 million, easing near-term financial pressure. Dhiraagu Debate: Former president Mohamed Nasheed has called a government move to regain majority control of the telecom company wasteful, countering Muizzu’s argument that it is a strategic asset.

Dhiraagu: Former President Mohamed Nasheed has called President Muizzu’s proposal to increase the state’s stake in Dhiraagu wasteful, arguing the telecom company benefits from operating without government majority control. Foreign Relations: Muizzu visits Pakistan from October 20 to 22—the first visit by a Maldivian head of state in over a decade—with trade, investment, security and direct flights on the agenda. At the OIC meeting in Baghdad, Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam urged greater unity among member states and reaffirmed support for an independent Palestinian state. Financial Stability: India has approved a rollover of the Maldives’ Rs 30 billion currency swap facility, which the government says reflects close bilateral ties and will support financial stability. Opposition Politics: Presidential hopeful Faisal Naseem says he has Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s full support, though Solih has not publicly endorsed a candidate. Local Governance: Faisal and Malé Mayor Adam Azim have criticised the government’s plan to repossess 14 plots from the city council, warning it could weaken decentralisation.

MDP Leadership: Faisal Naseem says former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih fully supports his bid for the party’s 2028 presidential nomination, though Solih has not publicly endorsed him. Pakistan Visit: Officials are preparing for President Muizzu’s October 20 visit, with talks set to cover trade, investment, health, education, climate, tourism and aviation. India Ties: India approved a rollover of the INR 30 billion currency swap facility, effective October 23, to support the Maldives’ financial stability; Malé thanked New Delhi for its continued cooperation. Local Governance: Faisal and Malé Mayor Adam Azim criticised the government’s plan to reclaim 14 plots from the city council, warning it could weaken local autonomy. Rasmale’ Dispute: Abdulla Yameen questioned whether the project complies with existing law, while the MDP has called for details of the deal to be disclosed.

India Ties: India approved a rollover of the Maldives’ INR 30 billion currency-swap facility, effective October 23, to support financial stability. Malé thanked New Delhi for the backing. Local Governance: Former Vice President Faisal Naseem and Malé Mayor Adam Azim criticised the government’s plan to repossess 14 council land plots, warning it could weaken local authority. Rasmale’ Dispute: Former President Abdulla Yameen says the project’s agreement was signed before the required law was drafted; the MDP is also demanding details of the proposed deal. Regional Diplomacy: President Mohamed Muizzu is due to visit Pakistan on October 20, while Tamil Nadu’s chief minister has urged India to help secure the release of 25 fishermen detained by the Maldives.

Economic Support: India approved a rollover of the Maldives’ INR 30 billion currency-swap facility, extending a key source of financial support as the country faces economic pressure. Rasmale’ Scrutiny: Former president Abdulla Yameen says the government signed the proposed agreement before drafting the legislation needed to support it; the MDP is also demanding details of the $20 billion deal. Fisheries Dispute: Maldivian authorities detained 25 Tamil Nadu fishermen and three boats. Chief Minister Vijay has asked India’s foreign minister to secure their release and repatriation. Constitutional Reform: The MDP has endorsed a sweeping overhaul, including proposals to split the executive into separate head-of-state and head-of-government roles. Regional Ties: President Mohamed Muizzu is due to visit Pakistan on October 20, the first such visit in a decade. Public Finances: Official reserves fell to $547 million at September’s end, while subsidy overspending topped MVR 1.37 billion.

Pakistan Visit: President Mohamed Muizzu is due in Islamabad on October 20–22, the first visit by a Maldivian president in a decade. Talks are expected to cover regional ties, trade and cooperation, with around a dozen agreements and memorandums reportedly in the works. Opposition Reform Plan: The MDP has backed a major constitutional overhaul, including splitting the presidency into separate head-of-state and head-of-government roles, arguing the current system risks excessive executive power. Rasmale’ Deal: The MDP is demanding the government publish the full terms of its agreement with Eagle Hills for a proposed $20 billion development and hold a public referendum. State Company Shake-up: As the government moves to merge Fenaka into STELCO and RDC into MTCC, both corporations have new acting leaders; the former managing directors were appointed state ministers. Fishermen Detained: Maldives authorities detained 25 Tamil Nadu fishermen and seized three boats. Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has asked India’s foreign minister to pursue their release through diplomatic channels. Food Security: Muizzu says boosting local farming and reducing import reliance are vital to national sovereignty and resilience against supply disruptions.

State-Owned Companies: STELCO chief Ali Azwar has been named acting head of Fenaka, while MTCC chief Ahmed Saudee takes over at RDC as the government moves ahead with plans to merge both companies to cut costs. Former executives Mohamed Afeef and Ibrahim Nazeem were appointed state ministers. Foreign Relations: President Mohamed Muizzu is due in Pakistan from October 20 to 22, the first visit by a Maldivian president in a decade. Talks are expected to cover trade, health, direct flights and regional cooperation, with about a dozen agreements under discussion. Sovereignty: The government says it will not allow Maldivian territory or waters to be placed under foreign military or operational surveillance. Public Finances: Official reserves fell to $547 million at the end of September, with usable reserves down to $169.8 million; subsidy spending has exceeded its annual budget by MVR 1.37 billion. Rasmale’ Deal: The opposition MDP is demanding full disclosure of the Eagle Hills agreement over 500 hectares and a public referendum, citing gaps between the company’s public information and government statements. Food Security: Muizzu says boosting local farming and reducing import dependence are vital to protect the country from price swings and supply disruptions.