First Light

Pakistan and the Maldives agreed on Wednesday 21 October to raise bilateral trade to USD 200 million within two years, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced, as the two countries exchanged 20 agreements and memorandums of understanding. Tribune reports (opens in a new tab) the pacts were signed during President Mohamed Muizzu's three-day state visit, the first by a Maldivian president in 11 years, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Arab News says (opens in a new tab) Muizzu endorsed the target.

According to Arab News, the agreements cover health, education, fisheries, agriculture, youth development, arts, Islamic affairs, tourism, information technology, policing and defence. The sides also agreed to explore direct flights, and a business forum was due on Thursday. Business Recorder reports (opens in a new tab) that, for the Maldives' five million trees initiative, Pakistan would provide 100,000 olive cuttings and 100,000 seeds of other plant species.

Atoll Times reports (opens in a new tab) that Sharif said he briefed Muizzu on Pakistan's position on Kashmir and raised concerns over the Indus Waters Treaty; Muizzu did not publicly comment on those remarks. Reports differ on the current trade baseline, so it is omitted here.

Parliament's General Committee approved an amendment to the Standing Orders requiring that resolutions submitted by members receive parliamentary approval before they can be debated, Atoll Times reported (opens in a new tab). It says the amendment was submitted on Saturday by independent Thulhaadhoo MP Abdul Hannan Abubakur, who has previously proposed amendments sought by the government.

Under the change, Parliament would first vote on whether to accept a resolution; one failing to secure enough support would be rejected without debate. Accepted resolutions would go to the relevant committee. Atoll Times says the text also bars resolutions that contradict legislation or address unrelated matters. Article 191 of the current rules lets any member submit a resolution, and resolutions need no presidential ratification.

In a second Atoll Times report (opens in a new tab), MDP members voiced concern on Wednesday that the change aims to restrict the opposition. PNC parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falah said the MDP would no longer be given opportunities to submit resolutions. The MDP has 12 MPs; the PNC holds a substantial majority. The amendment still needs a vote of the full chamber.

A parliamentary committee on Wednesday approved increases to allowances for the Speaker, cabinet ministers and island council members. Atoll Times (opens in a new tab) calls it the Finance Committee, while The Edition (opens in a new tab) calls it the Public Accounts Committee. Both say the proposal came from Kelaa MP Abdulla Shareef of the ruling PNC.

Both outlets report an extra MVR 22,000 monthly allowance for the Speaker, taking total pay to MVR 95,125 from about MVR 73,000. Atoll Times says ministers' vehicle allowance rises to MVR 17,000 a month, and The Edition itemises the same MVR 17,000 as petrol, driver salary and driver living allowances. Island council members get a MVR 5,000 monthly service allowance. The outlets differ slightly on ministers' new total (MVR 75,500 in Atoll Times, about MVR 75,000 in The Edition).

The Edition says the Speaker's pay was lower than that of MPs and the Deputy Speaker because the Speaker draws no committee allowance, and the councillor allowance is meant to narrow a gap with city councils. MDP MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa opposed the increases, Atoll Times reports.

Former Transport Deputy Minister Hassan Zihaan was remanded in custody for 15 days by the Fuvahmulah Magistrate Court, Atoll Times reports (opens in a new tab). It says he was arrested on Fuvahmulah on Tuesday night over a Facebook post suggesting that attacking the President's Office, Parliament and Supreme Court would be entertaining. Police are investigating.

Atoll Times says he wrote the post in response to an Al Jazeera report on unrest in Albania, where protesters had reportedly torched that country's Supreme Court, and later deleted it. The Edition's report (opens in a new tab) gives the same remand period and says he deleted it about an hour after posting, though screenshots circulated.

Both outlets describe him as a former MNDF first lieutenant and naval architect. They say he was dismissed from the Transport Ministry after being appointed there and has since been a vocal critic of President Muizzu's administration. No charges are mentioned in either report.