ISLAMABAD (Staff Reporter)
Pakistan and Indonesia have agreed to further strengthen cooperation in trade, education, health, agriculture, science, and information technology, among other sectors.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif described his meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo as “highly positive and constructive,” noting that the Indonesian leader’s visit will elevate bilateral ties to new heights. He emphasized that Pakistan and Indonesia have maintained strong relations for 75 years, successfully overcoming multiple challenges, and share similar perspectives on global and regional issues.
President Widodo welcomed Pakistan’s cooperation in the health sector and expressed readiness to enhance collaboration in education, trade, agriculture, IT, and other areas. During the ceremony for the exchange of agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that this is the first visit to Pakistan by an Indonesian president in seven years and lauded Indonesia as a steadfast partner historically, including its support during Pakistan’s independence movement and the 1965 war.
The two leaders discussed expanding bilateral trade, currently valued at $4.5 billion, with 90% accounted for by palm oil imports from Indonesia. They also explored ways to boost Pakistan’s agricultural exports, develop the IT sector, and enhance collaboration in multiple other sectors. Pakistan offered to provide doctors, dentists, medical professors, and health professionals to meet Indonesia’s healthcare needs.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised Indonesia’s stance on Gaza, urging the international community to act to stop the violence and condemning Israel’s violations of ceasefire agreements.
President Widodo expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s warm hospitality and highlighted the shared interests, values, and historical ties between the two nations. He noted that Pakistan’s salute by JF-17 Thunder aircraft was a special honor and reiterated Indonesia’s commitment to send experts in health and medical fields to Pakistan, while strengthening cooperation across trade, education, agriculture, science, technology, and healthcare.
The Indonesian president invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to visit Indonesia and instructed his ministers to accelerate practical cooperation between the two countries. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared positions on global issues, including the two-state solution for Palestine.
The visit culminated in the formal exchange of signed agreements and MoUs to enhance collaboration across multiple sectors, setting the stage for deeper bilateral ties.