Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has arrived in the Maldives on invitation from the government to participate in the 52nd Independence Day celebrations.

Prime Minsiter Sharif will be in the Maldives for three days and is to call on President Abdulla Yameen, where they will discuss the bilateral ties between both nations.

“The visit of the prime minister will provide impetus to further strengthen our bilateral relations with the Maldives in all areas, including politics, trade, economy, defence, tourism, education and people to people contacts” a statement from Paskitan’s Foreign Office said.

The Pakistani Prime Minister and First Lady Begum Kalsoom were greeted on arrival, by President Yameen, who presented them with a Guard of Honour conducted by the Maldives National Defence Force.

Pakistan has had history of aiding the Maldives, with notable contributions such as the construction of the parliamentary premises – which was built by the Pakistani government. The government had also reportedly provided over MVR 2 million in assistance to the construction of a supplementary building to the parliamentary premises.