First Light

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed have returned to Malé after a state visit to Pakistan from 20 to 22 October, made at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the President's Office said on 23 October (opens in a new tab). The visit coincided with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The office's list of the 20 MoUs (opens in a new tab) includes IT and cyber security, narcotics control, social protection, health, recruitment of health professionals, defence, maritime security, agriculture, fisheries and vocational training. The statement says both countries committed to raising bilateral trade to US$200 million within two years. Addressing the business forum, the President invited Pakistani investment in food security, health, construction, renewable energy and Islamic finance, and said Maldivian aims to fly Malé–Karachi soon. Profit Pakistan Today reports (opens in a new tab) that the Pakistani prime minister said he had directed his aviation ministry to prepare a feasibility study.

The Express Tribune says (opens in a new tab) it was the first visit by a Maldivian president in 11 years. The President's Office adds that Pakistan announced 100,000 olive cuttings for the five-million-tree initiative.

In an update on Friday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reported flooding and damage in Kulhudhuffushi, Nolhivaranfaru and Nolhivaram in Haa Dhaalu Atoll and in Naifaru in Lhaviyani Atoll, Atoll Times reports (opens in a new tab). It said no evacuations were needed and that sandbags and pumps were in use.

Accounts of the worst-hit island differ. The Edition quotes the NDMA (opens in a new tab) as saying flood water entered 95 per cent of homes in Nolhivaranfaru, with some people temporarily relocated and the council asking the MNDF for help. Atoll Times reports more than 60 households flooded in Nolhivaranfaru, and attributes the 95 per cent figure to the Nolhivaram council. Two Naifaru houses were affected.

In Malé, the NDMA counted 89 flooded buildings (opens in a new tab) after Wednesday night's rain, including 33 homes. Mayor Adam Azim blamed the sudden removal of drainage pumps (opens in a new tab) for road works, without a backup plan, and called for one authority to run storm water drainage, the Maldives Independent reports.

A petition has been submitted to Parliament through its e-petition portal calling for the state-funded insurance given to MPs to be offered to all Maldivians, Atoll Times reports (opens in a new tab). Its author, Midhuam Saud, earlier gathered more than 7,000 signatures against MPs' cover; petitions with 2,100 signatures must be debated.

The new petition responds to PNC group leader Ibrahim Falah, who argued in the Majlis debate (opens in a new tab) that Aasandha costs the state more than the MPs' scheme. It argues that if so, Aasandha should not be kept for the public while the MPs' scheme stays restricted. It is not yet known when the Majlis will take it up.

Background: the Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday approved higher allowances for the Speaker, ministers and councillors (opens in a new tab). They are MVR 22,000 for the Speaker (total MVR 95,125), MVR 17,000 for ministers' vehicles (total MVR 75,500) and MVR 5,000 for councillors. MDP MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa opposed them, saying they would strain the budget (opens in a new tab).

MDP chairperson Mohamed Nasheed told the party's national council that attacking Eagle Hills chairman Mohamed Alabbar would harm the Maldives and could jeopardise existing UAE investment, after MDP MPs denounced Alabbar in Parliament, the Maldives Independent reports (opens in a new tab). Former housing state minister Akram Kamaludeen replied that the MPs had spoken the truth. Former legal director Mahfooz Saeed said no action would be taken against anyone.

In a separate brief, MDP MP Meekail Naseem accused the government of rushing the deal, saying roughly 500 hectares of Ras Malé is being handed over with no acquisition cost, the Independent reports (opens in a new tab). Nasheed has said his concern is the unpublished terms and the location near Malé.

Background: Eagle Hills announced a commercial terms agreement (opens in a new tab) with the government last month.