President Prabowo, PM Shehbaz Sharif Agree to Boost Bilateral Cooperation

President Prabowo Subianto attends a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, Tuesday (12/9). Photo by: the BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev.

President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed commitment of the Indonesian and Pakistani governments to strengthen strategic cooperation across various sectors, including health, trade and foreign policy.

The President delivered the statement during a joint press conference with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following their bilateral meeting in Islamabad, Tuesday (12/9).

On that occasion, President Prabowo highlighted the longstanding Indonesia–Pakistan relations, rooted in shared values as two of the world’s largest Muslim-majority nations. He noted that the historical ties between the two nations form an important foundation for expanding concrete collaboration.

“We share the same values, and we share the same interests. We are perhaps two of the largest Muslim countries in the world, but our Islam is a moderate Islam that promotes inclusivity and tolerance, and the historical ties and brotherhood between our two countries are very strong,” the President said.

In the health sector, President Prabowo expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s commitment to sending experts, including doctors and professors, to support Indonesia’s major program to meet national healthcare needs.

The President stated that he had ordered Cabinet Ministers to accelerate trade relations with Pakistan to ensure more equitable economic benefits for both countries.

According to the President, both countries have agreed to expand cooperation in education, agriculture, science, and technology, including accelerating concrete programs through inter-ministerial communication. On regional issues, President Prabowo reaffirmed the commitment of Indonesia and Pakistan to Palestine and Gaza.

“Our ministers, our foreign ministries, are in close contact and we will always maintain our common stance on this matter. Once again, we will not waver in supporting the two-state solution in Palestine,” President Prabowo said.

President Prabowo further expressed optimism regarding the future of Indonesia–Pakistan cooperation. He also formally invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to pay an official visit to Indonesia.

“Looking ahead, I feel very optimistic, I feel very optimistic, and I hope to officially invite Prime Minister Sharif to visit Indonesia, and also your leaders to come to Indonesia and see the developments and perhaps assist us by offering your advice and thoughts on how we can further enhance our cooperation,” he said.

President Prabowo also expressed his appreciation for the great honor extended by Pakistan, even before the presidential aircraft landed.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude, my highest appreciation for the great honor you have given to me, from the Government and the people of Pakistan, through such a warm welcome. Even before I landed on Pakistani soil, I was greeted in the air, escorted by the honorable Air Force pilots with Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder. It is such a great honor for me,” the President remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (RI/LW)