Pakistan refuses to interfere in Maldives' 'domestic affairs'

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has conveyed to the Maldives Foreign Minister that Islamabad would not interfere in the Indian Ocean 's "domestic matters despite its opposition to the ongoing state of Emergency".

Maldives Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim visited Pakistan for three days (February 8-10) as a special envoy of President Abdulla Yameen to explain the current political turmoil in their country.

Abbasi said on Friday 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", the Express Tribune reported.

The significant development came as the Maldives reached out to "friendly countries" to garner support after the recent proclamation of Emergency by Yameen.

"Our government was vocal about condemning the proclamation of Emergency by former dictator General Pervez Musharraf in 2007 in Pakistan (mainly to tighten noose around the Supreme Court judges)".

"How can we support the proclamation of Emergency in the Maldives where the Supreme Court is also bearing the brunt?" said a close aide of Abbasi, requesting anonymity.

The daily quoted a source as saying that the visiting minister invited the Pakistan Prime Minister to visit the Maldives but he "politely regretted" the invitation, saying it was not suitable to visit the country in the present circumstances, since such a step would be tantamount to supporting the emergency rule.

The archipelago made international headlines after its President Yameen announced a 15-day state of Emergency last Monday and arrested the Supreme Court's top two judges and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Yameen's move came in the wake of a ruling by the apex court on February 1 to "release" exiled former President Mohamed Nasheed and other high-profile prisoners.

--IANS

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