Maldives, Pakistan enjoy excellent brotherly ties: envoy

Islamabad

Ahmed Saleem, High Commissioner of Maldives has said Pakistan and the Maldives have excellent brotherly relations adding there is work to be done in many fields to fully tap the potential.

He further said, economic, education and cultural relations need further improvement. This is underway and it is progressing. Cultural exchange programmes, engaging both the countries through tourism, are in progress. Ahmed Saleem expressed these views in an exclusive interview with DNA.

He added, Maldives having some history and experience in the field of tourism and hospitality, can share that experience through exchange programmes.

"Pakistan, with its greenery, hills, valleys and the mountain range, acquires its beauty for tourist attraction. Hence, I believe with the sharing of information and experiences in this vital field, this area could be enhanced. I see bright future for even a stronger relationship between our two brotherly countries," he added.

Maldives and Pakistan have always enjoyed close and cordial relations. In fact, it is a special relationship based on bonds of common religion, mutual trust, confidence and affinity between the peoples of our two countries that serve as an example in respecting one another and serving the cause of two brotherly nations, working in conjunction for their mutual benefit and that of the region as a whole.

Both countries, founding members of SAARC, have always supported each other at regional and international fora. Both share many things in common, including our vision of global peace and regional stability. Maldives is grateful to Pakistan for its unconditional support to Maldives in times of difficulties and need, he added.

To a question about people to people contact the High Commissioner said, "I have been in Pakistan now for more than a year now and that has been a wonderful period of my life."

Maldives and Pakistan are very friendly two countries that have enormous respect for each other and have so much in common and are always willing to help each other at all times. I think we are an example of two neighbouring countries that are determined and willing to coexist in peace and harmony for the mutual benefit of the people of our two counties and the region, he added.

When asked to comment on tourism potential between the two countries, the high commissioner said, tourism is one sector in which both countries can cooperate in a big way. Both are beautiful countries in their own way and all we need is an effort in promoting one another.

"While I have met many Pakistanis who have already visited the Maldives, I am sure there will be many who are interested in visiting Maldives too. I think there is a lot of room for peoples of both countries to invest in this vital sector. I believe there is more to do for further development of the tourism sector, trade and investment. However, connectivity has to be enhanced between Maldives and Pakistan."

Talking about the reform process in Maldives, he said, 2008 reforms culminated in Maldives becoming a full-fledged democracy for the first time in its history.

"I think it was tourism, which began in the Maldives in 1972 that changed the whole complexion of the country. Although Maldives is now a major tourist attraction, it was a struggle in the beginning. It took years for us to establish ourselves as a major tourism destination. With tourism, many things changed in the Maldives. Fisheries was our mainstay until tourism began and fisheries is now our second most revenue earning industry."

Talking about Pakistan's role in war on terror, he said, "I think Pakistan has done an extremely effective job in fighting terrorism. It is not an easy thing to do but I am sure it will succeed with the government's determination to rid the country of this dangerous menace."