Rahmat Hindiarta says Pakistan has been one of the biggest recipients of Indonesian government scholarships, and we are proud that academic and cultural exchanges between our two nations are flourishing
Ansar Mahmood Bhatti
ISLAMABAD, AUG 19 /DNA/ — The Embassy of Indonesia in Islamabad hosted a press conference this afternoon to brief the media about the IBEX Red and White Expedition to Trango Tower (EMPTT) 2025. The event, held at the Embassy’s Hall of Budaya Nusantara highlighted the significance of the expedition in strengthening bilateral ties between Indonesia and Pakistan while celebrating two major milestones for Indonesia.
The IBEX expedition has been organized to mark Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day on August 17, 2025, and also to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Pakistan. These twin celebrations symbolize not only Indonesia’s national pride but also the deep-rooted friendship and cooperation that Jakarta and Islamabad have fostered over the decades.
Delivering the opening remarks, Rahmat Hindiarta, Minister Counselor and Head of the Media and Culture Section at the Indonesian Embassy, underscored the broader vision behind the climbing mission. Flanked by Maj. Gen. (R) Asro, a senior adviser on climbing, Hindiarta emphasized that the expedition reflects Indonesia’s commitment to expand people-to-people ties with Pakistan.
“Pakistan has been one of the biggest recipients of Indonesian government scholarships, and we are proud that academic and cultural exchanges between our two nations are flourishing,” he said. “Tourism from Pakistan to Indonesia has also grown, and initiatives like this climbing expedition are a part of our shared resolve to deepen the bonds of brotherhood.”
He that such collaborations are not only symbolic but also practical demonstrations of mutual trust, resilience, and shared spirit of adventure.
The six-member Indonesian climbing team was being led by Freden Sembiring, a seasoned mountaineer. Speaking at the press conference, Sembiring shared details of the mission to scale Trango Tower, one of the most daunting granite towers of the Karakoram Range located in Gilgit-Baltistan.
“Trango Tower is among the most difficult rock-climbing challenges in the world, with its sheer vertical walls and extreme weather conditions,” he noted. “We initially planned for a 15-day climb, but the expedition required us to adapt, cut climbing time, and make crucial decisions on the spot. It was challenging, but challenges are what we prepare for.”
Sembiring added that the team used Himalayan techniques to navigate the rock-climbing conditions, which tested not just their technical ability but also their endurance and teamwork. “If we can handle this climb, we believe we can take on even more difficult tasks in the future. Pakistan’s Alpine Club supported us immensely, and the hospitality of the local people made this journey unforgettable. We will definitely come back to Pakistan.”
Standing at 6,286 meters (20,623 feet), Trango Tower—also known as Nameless Tower—forms part of the Trango Group in the Baltoro Glacier region of Gilgit-Baltistan. The tower is renowned worldwide for its dramatic vertical rock faces, considered the largest sheer cliffs on Earth. Climbers from across the globe travel to Pakistan to test their skills on its granite walls, which combine both mountaineering and technical rock climbing.
The press conference concluded with reaffirmations of the expedition’s symbolic role in bringing Indonesia and Pakistan closer together. Both sides expressed their desire to continue building on past achievements in education, culture, tourism, and sports diplomacy.
“Climbing Trango Tower is not just about scaling a mountain,” Hindiarta remarked in his closing note. “It is about celebrating resilience, ambition, and friendship. Just as our climbers overcame steep obstacles on this rock face, our two nations will continue to overcome challenges and rise together.”
As the IBEX Red and White Expedition 2025 gains international attention, it stands as both an athletic triumph and a diplomatic milestone—celebrating Indonesia’s independence, honoring the strong bond with Pakistan, and showcasing how shared adventures can elevate bilateral relations to new heights.
