The Maldives government has decided to remove Mohamed Thoha from his post as Maldives Ambassador to Pakistan after his meeting with Afghanistan's Ambassador to Pakistan.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Foreign Ministry said the meeting was "not sanctioned by the Government of Maldives" and that appropriate action has been taken after Thoha met Afghanistan’s Acting Ambassador to Pakistan Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb.

The Foreign Ministry did not specify what action was taken. But Adhadhu understands that Thoha has been dismissed from his post. He is currently on his way to return to the Maldives.

The Maldives established diplomatic relations with Afghanistan in March 2006, but it does not recognize the current Taliban government in Afghanistan.

The Foreign Ministry said the Maldives government follows the practice from the United Nations General Assembly when questions arise about the representative character of a government.

"Consistent with this practice, the Maldives recognises the Government representing Afghanistan at the United Nations as the legitimate Government of Afghanistan," the statement read.

According to the office of Afghanistan’s Acting Ambassador to Pakistan, discussions were held on strengthening trade relations between the two countries and ways to facilitate trade for the Maldives with other Central Asian countries through Afghanistan during Friday's meeting.