President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday night conferred the country’s highest civilian honour, Nishan-e-Pakistan, on Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at a special ceremony held at the President House in Islamabad.
Prabowo was in Pakistan on a two-day official visit from December 8–9, during which he held meetings with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal Asim Munir and other civil and military leaders.
According to a joint statement, Pakistan and Indonesia reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their resolve to expand cooperation in political, economic, defence, security, cultural, technological and health sectors. Both sides noted that ties have surpassed 75 years and agreed to pursue collaboration in a forward-looking manner.
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The two countries emphasised enhancing high-level exchanges, upgrading the existing IP-PTA to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement by 2027, and boosting trade, which has already exceeded the $4 billion mark. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in agriculture, IT, cybersecurity, minerals, tourism, infrastructure, energy and digital connectivity through coordination between Pakistan’s SIFC and Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund.
Defence ties were highlighted as a priority, with both nations agreeing to expand military training, defence-industrial collaboration and maritime and aviation-related cooperation. They also reaffirmed joint efforts against terrorism, violent extremism and transnational crime.
Pakistan and Indonesia committed to collaboration in health services, digital health, vaccine production, emergency preparedness, climate resilience and disaster management. Both sides also agreed to enhance tourism cooperation based on shared cultural heritage.
Pakistan briefed the Indonesian delegation on the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Both leaders voiced deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Palestine and reiterated support for a two-state solution.
Several agreements and MoUs were signed during the visit. President Prabowo appreciated Pakistan’s hospitality.
