ANSAR M BHATTI
ISLAMABAD, Dec 7 — President of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Prabowo Subianto, arrived in Islamabad today for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising key ministers and senior officials, marking his first trip to Pakistan since assuming office. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the guest.
The visit carries special importance as it comes during the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Indonesia—an important milestone that reflects decades of friendship, shared values, and longstanding cooperation between the two Muslim-majority nations. This also marks the first Indonesian presidential visit to Pakistan since President Joko Widodo’s trip in 2018.
President Prabowo was warmly received at the airport by senior government officials. During his stay, he will hold delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The discussions are expected to cover a comprehensive agenda focused on deepening cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, defence, health, information technology, climate action, education and cultural exchange. Both sides will also review ways to enhance coordination at regional and global forums.
The Indonesian President will also call on President Asif Ali Zardari. In a significant engagement underscoring defence and security ties, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, will meet President Prabowo as well.
Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the visit, opening new avenues for institutional collaboration and broadening bilateral cooperation.
Officials in Islamabad describe the visit as a major diplomatic event that will expand the scope of Pakistan–Indonesia relations. Both sides expect that the engagements will help diversify the partnership and promote shared economic and strategic interests.
President Prabowo’s arrival is widely viewed as an opportunity to inject fresh momentum into bilateral ties as the two nations commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations.
