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December 12, 2025
PM Shehbaz Hails ‘Extremely Productive, Gratifying’ Talks with Indonesian President
Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday termed his meeting with the Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto “extremely productive and gratifying”, as the two pledged to expand bilateral trade ties.
Speaking during a ceremony held for the signing of several memoranda of understanding between Indonesia and Pakistan, PM Shehbaz said, “What we have decided is […] to promote our bilateral trade, culture, interact in the field of medical health, education, and vocational training.”
He assured the Indonesian president that Pakistan would “work closely” with Indonesia to achieve the decided targets.
The premier noted that Pakistan’s current bilateral trade with Indonesia stood at $4.5 billion, out of which more than 90 per cent accounted for palm oil imports.
“We have discussed how to take corrective measures to balance this balance of trade through agricultural exports from Pakistan, through exports of IT-led initiatives,” adding that the “trade gap” can be filled in many other areas as well.
The premier shared that the two countries had reached an agreement to send Pakistani doctors, dentists, medical professors and experts to Indonesia, which he said was establishing a “a large number” of medical colleges and universities.
“I assure you that whatever is possible for us in this [regard], we will do it without any delay and with great pleasure,” PM Shehbaz said, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to its “brotherly nation.”
PM Shehbaz conveyed Pakistan’s “warmth and sincerity” to Indonesia in his address.
He noted that the Indonesian president’s visit coincided with the anniversary of Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with Indonesia.
On that note, the premier stressed, “Let us agree to celebrate these 75 years with great fanfare in Jakarta and in Islamabad simultaneously, that will convey a very loud and clear message to all and sundry.”
The prime minister recalled that the two nations’ relations “predated” their independence.
“Our founder, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, supported the war of independence of Indonesia while he was president of the All India Muslim League,” he said, lauding the “great heroic struggle of the Indonesian people.”
The premier continued: “Little did we know in 1965, our war against our neighbouring country, [Indonesia] stood with Pakistan like a rock, and this has gone into the annals of history in golden words.”
“It will be remembered by the people of Pakistan for all times to come,” PM Shehbaz added.
He also appreciated Indonesia’s “unwavering stand” on Gaza, stressing that it had “resulted in peace in that part of the world”.
“By the grace of god, bloodshed has stopped. However, Israel’s ceasefire violations continue,” the premier noted.
He insisted that it was “high time that we sit down and put our heads together and stop this bloodshed over there for all times to come”.
Coming back to Pakistan-Indonesia relations, the premier voiced optimism that “the bond between Pakistan and Indonesia will continue to grow in strength, depth, and vision”.
He stressed that the president’s visit “will take these wonderful relations to a much higher level”.
In his concluding remarks, the prime minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to “cooperate” with Indonesia for progress and peace in the region.
In a ceremony at the Aiwan-i-Sadr, President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the Nishan-i-Pakistan — the country’s highest civil award — upon President Subianto, the Presidency said in a statement.
The investiture ceremony was attended by Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, the air force and navy chiefs and members of the federal cabinet.
Before the investiture ceremony, President Zardari held a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, “which focused on historic ties between the two countries, shared values and the long-standing foundations laid by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and [then-Indonesian] president Sukarno”, the statement read.
“Both presidents noted the longstanding ties between Pakistan and Indonesia and agreed that their relationship continues to rest on shared values and long-standing goodwill,” it added. “They expressed the intent to work more closely for peace, stability and prosperity.” –
- Dawn
Courtesy Dawn
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