Pakistan firmly believes that the rule of democracy and Constitution must be upheld and allowed to take its course, and supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Maldives as per the UN Charter, Foreign Office said on Friday.
The comments on the crisis situation in Maldives came during weekly media briefing by Spokesperson of Foreign Office Dr Mohammad Faisal, as Foreign Minister of Maldives Dr Mohamed Asim arrived here as special envoy of the embattled president of the country to brief Pakistani leadership on political crisis in the country that spurred the imposition of a state of emergency.
"Pakistan and Maldives have deep and cordial relations, bound by religious and cultural affinity. Maldives is an important Muslim country in SAARC."
"As a matter of policy, we do not comment on the internal matters of other countries," the spokesperson said who also shared Pakistan's principled stance on the political crisis in Maldives.
The visiting foreign minister of Maldives also called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. According to the media office of the PM House, the Prime Minister conveyed to the visiting Foreign Minister Dr Asim that Pakistan firmly adheres to the policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries. PM Abbasi said that relations between Pakistan and Maldives are characterised by cordiality, mutual respect and commonality of interests. He expressed satisfaction over the trajectory of brotherly bilateral relations.
The Maldivian foreign minister briefed the Prime Minister about the developments that led to the declaration of a state of emergency in his country. He reaffirmed Maldives' support to Pakistan's initiatives for bringing peace and stability in the region. The foreign minister appreciated Pakistan for its support to the people and the government of Maldives.