Indonesia’s 77th Independence Day celebrated in Islamabad
Naveed Ahmad Khan
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Industries and Production Division Makhdoom Syed Murtaza Mehmood congratulated the Indonesian Ambassador on their Independence Day and underlined the strong bilateral and economic ties between both countries.
He addressed the gathering as a chief guest on the occasion of the 77th Anniversary of its Independence Day of Indonesia hosted by The Embassy of Indonesia in Islamabad.
Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, Ambassador of Turkmenistan and Dean of Diplomatic Corps Atadjan Movlamov, Ambassador of Vietnam and Chairman ASEAN Committee Islamabad (ACI) Nam Nguyen Tien Phong and A large number of foreign diplomats, Pakistani officials, dignitaries, parliamentarians, journalists, and senior military officials were in attendance.
Makhdoom Syed Murtaza also thanked the Indonesian government for providing relief assistance to flood victims of Pakistan. He also acknowledged the Indonesian government’s help in handling the palm oil crisis. Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed also congratulates to government and people of Indonesia and highlights the Pak Indonesia bilateral relations.
The Ambassador of Indonesia to Pakistan Adam Mulawarman Tugio said the 77th Anniversary of Independence is another milestone for Indonesia marked with significant political and economic achievements. Now, Indonesia is the world’s third largest democracy and a country where Islam and modernity coexist and deliver to bring economic progress, he expressed. He added that the voices of developing countries and ensuring their participation in the development process were important parameters of Indonesia’s inclusive approach to the Indonesia’s Presidency in G-20.
The Ambassador also expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the victims of recent unprecedented flash floods in Pakistan. He added, “We believe that no nation alone can handle such a large-scale natural disaster, and it’s a shared responsibility of all to support people in distress. Indonesia stands with Pakistani brothers and sisters in this difficult time”.
He further stated that as a mark of solidarity, the Indonesian government dispatched humanitarian aid in-kind by two special aircrafts last month and a medical team with a US$1 million grant to support ongoing relief operation in Pakistan. Regarding bilateral relations, the Ambassador said since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1947, Indonesia-Pakistan bilateral relations have continued to become stronger and more comprehensive.
Pakistan strategically holds great importance for Indonesia as a trusted friend and partner in South Asia. With the rapidly expanding national economy and the growing importance of ASEAN as a trade hub, Indonesia offers wonderful investment opportunities and collaboration to our friends from the business community in Pakistan.
Both sides are fully aware of the potential and benefits of cooperation and moving ahead by initiating various mechanisms, bilateral consultation forums, policy dialogue, trade promotion, and strengthening of people-topeople contacts to reap more fruits from productive engagement, the Ambassador concluded.
At the end of the event, the female troupe performed traditional dance and visitors also enjoyed the Indonesian and Pakistani cuisines.