Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday conveyed the message to Maldives' foreign minister Mohamed Asim that Pakistan "firmly adheres to the policy of non-interference in the affairs of other countries and will continue to adhere to the principles of the UN charter in this regard."
Following the presidential decree of a state of emergency on Monday, February 5 for a 15-day duration in a last ditch effort by Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to nullify Supreme Court ruling on February 1 to release nine political dissidents, the situation in the country had erupted to a volatile state.
Several foreign countries had addressed their concerns while on Wednesday a delegation that had included United Kingdom, Germany and European Union ambassadors made a friendly visit to the island nation in hopes of meeting with top government officials for discussions to subside the boiling political strife.
Many global organizations and nations had actively voiced their concern regarding the political situation and the state of emergency in Maldives while global leaders had urged president Abdulla Yameen to adhere to top-court ruling.
Immediately afterwards the Maldives government had dispatched its cabinet ministers to China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia seeking help from them to avert the global watchdog organizations and communities.
Maldives sought the aid of the mentioned countries to relay message about the country's actual political condition and the exact nature behind the presidential decree of a state of emergency.
Foreign minister of Maldives, Mohamed Asim flew to Pakistan while economic minister Mohamed Saeed graced China and fisheries minister reached to Saudi Arabia to garner assistance from these countries.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Abbasi had met with foreign minister Asim to discuss and clarify the current situation of Maldives, reported Pakistan media outlets.
Minister Asim's visit was kept low-key due by federal government authorities mostly due to controversies attached to Maldives over its president's decision to impose the state of emergency.
A source intimate with the details of the matter validated that Pakistan Prime Minister Abbasi had conveyed to the visiting Maldives foreign minister that Pakistan had "no intention to side with Maldives president after he took a highly controversial step to impose emergency," The Express Tribune quoted the anonymous source.
“Our government is vocal about condemning the proclamation of emergency by former dictator General (retd) Pervez Musharraf in 2007 in Pakistan (mainly to tighten noose around the Supreme Court judges).
“How can we support the proclamation of emergency in Maldives where the Supreme Court is also bearing the brunt?” a close aide of the prime minister commented on the condition of anonymity.
The source had furthermore added that the visiting Maldives foreign minister Asim had invited the premier to visit Maldives, but Abassi 'politely regretted' invitation saying the current tumultuous condition Maldives is in cannot be suitable for a formal visit as it could be tantamount to supporting the emergency rule.
Minister Asim had briefed Pakistani Prime Minister on “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 to the region”, an official statement from PM's office read.
On the other hand, Abbasi had stressed that the “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.”
Foreign minister Asim had thanked the Pakistan Prime Minister and government for their continued support to the people and state of Maldives.
Meanwhile Asian monolith China had echoed a similar remark stating the current political strife in Maldives is purely internal and should be resolved within the country's state and its citizens. However the economic giant, keeping close ties with both Maldives and Pakistan said they will be providing assistance to Maldivian authorities and government in an outlier fashion.
Although several Pakistani news agencies had reported of the meeting between PM Abassi and Maldives foreign minister Asim, local entities had not issued any official statements regarding the developments during the official visit.
