Islamabad: Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law and Justice, met with a delegation from the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives in Islamabad to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation on human rights issues, particularly focusing on vulnerable groups and social protection.

According to Press Information Department, the Maldivian delegation was led by Commissioner Ahmed Masoom and Secretary General Aishath Shaheen Najmee. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Human Rights, was also attended by Rabiya Javeri Agha, Chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), and Abdul Khalique Shaikh, Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights.

The participants discussed strengthening cooperation between the two nations with an emphasis on the protection of vulnerable groups and the exchange of experiences and best practices. Both parties highlighted the importance of independent national human rights institutions in safeguarding fundamental rights.

Barrister Aqeel Malik spoke of the longstanding relations between Pakistan and the Maldives, highlighting the need for sustained institutional engagement to address shared human rights challenges. He emphasized the importance of knowledge sharing, strengthening institutional capacities, and fostering dialogue to advance human rights protection.

The meeting also explored opportunities for enhanced collaboration between human rights institutions of both countries, aiming to learn from each other’s experiences and adopt effective practices. The discussions reaffirmed the commitment of both nations to promote fundamental rights and protect vulnerable communities through constructive engagement and partnerships.