Maldives Withdraws Ambassador from Pakistan Following Unapproved Meeting with Afghan Chargé d’Affaires

The Maldives has recalled its High Commissioner to Pakistan, Muhammad Taha, after an unauthorized meeting with the Afghan Chargé d’Affaires, Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb. According to a statement from the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting that took place on Friday was not sanctioned by the government.

The Ministry’s announcement indicated that appropriate action had been taken in response to this incident. Taha’s name has been removed from the Maldives mission’s website in Islamabad, confirming his recall.

Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, following the ousting of the Western-backed government, they have been working to establish diplomatic relations while promoting a strict interpretation of Islamic law that governs the behavior and lifestyle of citizens.

To date, no country has officially recognized the Taliban government; however, after three years in power, Taliban officials are making diplomatic strides. Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, and several Central Asian republics have established de facto diplomatic relations with Kabul, while Western embassies in the capital have remained closed for three years. The Maldives, the smallest country in South Asia, does not recognize the Taliban regime.