Pakistani Ambassador Praises Prabowo As Visionary Leader

JAKARTA - Pakistan's ambassador to Indonesia Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri called President Prabowo Subianto a visionary leader and brought a new direction in bilateral relations between the two countries.

The praise was conveyed after a one-on-one meeting with President Prabowo at the Presidential Palace complex, Jakarta, Monday.

"The Indonesian people are lucky to have a visionary leader like His Majesty President Prabowo Subianto," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, November 17.

He said President Prabowo's leadership opened wider space to strengthen collaboration between the two countries with the largest Muslim population in the world.

Zahid stated that Indonesia and Pakistan, which are the first and second largest Muslim countries in the world, have an important role in global dynamics.

Combined, said Zahid, the two countries represent more than a quarter of the world's Muslim population.

This condition, according to him, creates a stronger awareness for both countries to maintain closer relationships in various strategic sectors.

He mentioned a number of areas of cooperation that need to be strengthened, ranging from economy, education, health, to science and technology.

In addition, collaboration in the defense sector, information technology, and development cooperation is also the main concern of Pakistan and Indonesia.

Ambassador Zahid said the two countries had been working closely together in various international forums, including the United Nations (UN) and Organizations for Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Pakistan is also an ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner, which it says is an important platform in improving relations with Indonesia and the Southeast Asia region.