ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday conferred the country’s highest civil award, “Nishan-e-Pakistan”, on Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at a special award investiture ceremony held at the Presidency in Islamabad.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chief of Defence Force and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Federal Ministers, parliamentarians, foreign diplomats and other high-level authorities attended the award investiture ceremony.
The Indonesian President paid an official visit to Pakistan on 8 and 9 December at the invitation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
During the visit, President Prabowo Subianto held delegation-level talks with PM Sharif and met with Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari.
Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, also called on President Subianto.
President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Nishan-e-Pakistan on Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto. The two leaders also held a meeting to review bilateral ties, shared values and future cooperation, followed by a state banquet in his honour. pic.twitter.com/MvlnFohCJr
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) December 9, 2025
Strengthening bilateral cooperation
The visit carried special significance, as Pakistan and Indonesia are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. It served as an opportunity to reflect on the progress achieved over the decades and to reaffirm shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation, according to a joint statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two sides expressed firm resolve to build on the historic foundation and expand cooperation across all areas of mutual interest. Both sides agreed to expand cooperation in a forward-looking manner and explore pathways to further elevate bilateral engagement, the joint statement added.
During the visit, the two sides reviewed the full spectrum of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening brotherly ties between the two countries across all areas, including political and diplomatic, economic and trade, security and defence, cultural and education, science and technological, and health cooperation.
President @AAliZardari confers the Nishan-e-Pakistan on Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto Djojohadikusumo during a special investiture ceremony at Aiwan-e-Sadr. pic.twitter.com/TD4tcoHtuU
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) December 9, 2025
During their discussions, the leaders emphasised the importance of enhancing high-level engagements, political dialogue, effective use of existing bilateral mechanisms, and strengthening inter-parliamentary relations.
Affirming their shared commitment to expanding trade and economic cooperation, the two sides noted that while bilateral trade has doubled since 2014 and surpassed the US$4 billion mark, considerable opportunities remain unexplored.
Economic Partnership Agreement
It was agreed to hold a meeting of the Joint Negotiations Committee (JNC) at the earliest to elevate the existing IP-PTA to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by 2027 through deeper concessions, removal of non-tariff barriers, as well as strengthening cooperation to fulfil the true potential of the bilateral agreement.
Recognising the importance of traditional trade commodities, including agricultural and industrial goods, palm oil, surgical instruments, and pharmaceutical products for the bilateral trade, it was agreed to explore opportunities to enhance cooperation in the services sector as well, including information technology, cyber-security, and fintech. The importance of cooperation in the halal food industry and Islamic finance was also underscored.
Both sides also underscored the importance of strengthening mutual investments to diversify and expand economic cooperation. They agreed to explore measures to promote investment cooperation in diverse sectors, including and not limited to agriculture, IT, mining and minerals, tourism, infrastructure, digital infrastructure, connectivity and energy, including through engagement between Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and Indonesia’s Sovereign Wealth Fund (Danantara).
Strengthening defence cooperation
Recognising the importance of strengthening defence cooperation, both sides agreed to deepen collaboration through enhanced high-level military interactions, institutionalising defence industrial cooperation, specialised training programs, and exchanges between military training institutions, in accordance with respective laws and regulations.
The Indonesian side appreciated the ongoing defence education and training cooperation between the two countries. Both leaders agreed to explore further defence industry collaboration potentials, as well as maritime and aviation-related trainings.
The two sides reiterated their commitment to working together to address transnational security challenges, including through constructive cooperation in preventing and countering terrorism and violent extremism, as well as preventing and countering illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substance, new psychoactive substance and their precursors, consistent with international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Both sides agreed to enhance collaboration through human health development, health care services, pharmaceutical and medical devices, health technology, including digital health, health emergency, including preparedness for diseases with pandemic potential, including vaccine manufacturing, diseases prevention and control, women and child health, subject to respective domestic regulations.
The leaders exchanged views on regional and global developments. They emphasised the importance of upholding multilateralism, strengthening global governance, and ensuring that the United Nations remains central in addressing global challenges.
Pakistan briefed the Indonesian side on developments related to the Jammu and Kashmir issue. Both sides emphasised the importance of peace, stability, and resolving outstanding issues through peaceful dialogue in line with relevant international principles and established bilateral processes between the parties.
The leaders expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian situation in Palestine. They reaffirmed their longstanding support for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace through the implementation of the Two-State Solution, in line with relevant UN resolutions and internationally agreed parameters, towards the establishment of an independent State of Palestine.
Both sides welcomed the Gaza Peace Plan and appreciated their continued cooperation and diplomatic efforts in support of peace in Gaza.
