First Light

President Mohamed Muizzu arrived in Islamabad on Tuesday 20 October for a state visit to Pakistan lasting until 22 October, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Tribune reported (opens in a new tab), citing state media. A second Tribune report says the President and First Lady received a 21-gun salute at the airport. The Nation (opens in a new tab) says Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar was among those who met him there.

Tribune, quoting a statement from the Maldivian President’s Office, says the visit coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, formally established on 26 July 1966, and is the first high-level bilateral engagement in over a decade. Business Recorder (opens in a new tab) describes it as the first visit by a Maldivian president in 11 years. Dawn (opens in a new tab) reports that a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding are expected to be signed. Arab News (opens in a new tab) cites Pakistan’s foreign ministry as saying the aim is cooperation in diverse fields.

The talks, banquet and any signed agreements fall on 21 and 22 October and will be covered in later editions.

Parliament approved a budget of about MVR 133 million for the Auditor General’s Office for 2027 at Tuesday’s sitting, with 46 members in favour and none against, Atoll Times reported (opens in a new tab). The Edition (opens in a new tab) says the Finance Committee presented its report that day, and that committee member Ahmed Mamdhooh, MP for Funadhoo, said the office had submitted a lower estimate for next year than its allocation for this year.

Atoll Times lists about MVR 90 million for recurrent spending and equipment and MVR 43.5 million under the Public Sector Investment Programme. It also gives MVR 56.8 million for employee costs, MVR 10.6 million for travel and MVR 13.8 million for office services, and puts the 2026 allocation at roughly MVR 134 million. The Edition says some MPs questioned the size of the allocation during debate, noting that a substantial portion would go towards constructing a building for the office, and urged responsible use of public funds.

The Edition adds that PNC parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falaah said the office plays an important role in recovering public funds, but cautioned against politically motivated audits and called for accurate, fair reports. The two outlets differ on this year’s recurrent allocation, so that comparison is omitted.

The President’s Office’s press listing for 20 October (opens in a new tab) carries a release headlined that the President assures the Ras Malé project will be executed within a legal framework, safeguarding religion, sovereignty and independence. Atoll Times (opens in a new tab) ran a headline attributing to a speaker that Israelis will be barred from acquiring Ras Malé property. PSM News headlined that the government will retain full control of Ras Male’ properties, the President said. We have read only the headlines, so details of who said what, and how, are not confirmed.

In a 25 September President’s Office release (opens in a new tab), President Muizzu said about 60 to 70 per cent of the land reclamation was complete, that land would be leased to foreign investors without transfer of ownership, and that the government would give no sovereign guarantees, tax concessions or import duty exemptions.

Separately, The Edition reported (opens in a new tab) that 14 plots in Malé, including markets and Rasfannu, were being reclaimed by the state under amendments to the Decentralisation Act. Atoll Times reported the opposition launching a national movement against the Eagle Hills project.

The government has awarded a contract to Malaysian company Altus Oil and Gas to build ice production and storage facilities on 11 islands, to improve fishermen’s access to ice, Atoll Times reported (opens in a new tab), citing the Fisheries Ministry. It says the agreement was signed on Monday 19 October at a ceremony at the ministry. The Edition (opens in a new tab) places the ceremony at Maagiri Hotel and says it was signed by State Minister Mohamed Muththalib with Altus Oil and Gas Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

According to the ministry, as quoted by The Edition, each island will get a plant producing 30 tonnes of ice daily, built on a design, build and supply basis with a seawater cooling system. The islands are Dhidhdhoo, Kulhudhuffushi, Komandhoo, Hulhudheli, Gaafaru, Rasdhoo, Mulah, Nilandhoo, Vilingili, Maamendhoo and Rathafandhoo. The company will handle construction, installation, testing and equipment transfer, the ministry said. The signing took place before the coverage window, so this item rests on Atoll Times’ publication in the early hours of 20 October.