The Maldives government has recalled its High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mohamed Thoha, following an unsanctioned meeting with Taliban envoy Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb in Islamabad. The Maldives’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement noting that the meeting was unauthorized and confirmed that "appropriate action" had been taken, although specific details were not disclosed.

Thoha's diplomatic path has faced some hurdles. He was initially appointed as the Maldives' Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, but reportedly, the Saudi government did not approve his posting. Following this, he was instead reassigned as the High Commissioner to Pakistan. In light of the recent incident, his name has been removed from the Maldives’ diplomatic mission website in Pakistan, and he has been formally recalled, as confirmed by official sources.

This incident highlights the Maldives’ position on the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan, which it does not recognize. Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, several countries have established de facto relations, although formal recognition remains limited. The Maldives, a predominantly Islamic island nation, has maintained a clear stance on this matter, aligning with other countries that have withheld official acknowledgment of the Taliban’s rule.