PAKISTAN-INDONESIA SHOULD ENHANCE THEIR MULTI-FACETED TIES FOR MUTUAL BENEFIT: Chairman Senate

Senate Secretariat

 Islamabad: 25^th April, 2012

Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari has said that Pakistan accords high priority to its old, deep and unique relations with Indonesia and is keen to further strengthen these ties as we share commonalities in religion, history and culture. He was expressing these views in a meeting with Indonesian Ambassador, Mr. Ishak Latuconsina at Parliament House today.

The Chairman emphasized the need to enhance people to people contacts particularly exchange of Parliamentary delegations, business community and people belonging to diverse spheres of life in order to share their experiences and learning from each other for progress and prosperity. The Chairman said that exchanges of Parliamentary fraternity from both sides will definitely help to understand functioning and working of the respective Parliaments and political system.  

Bokhari stressed the need for increasing bilateral trade volume between the two fraternal countries. He said that presence of political goodwill and already signed preferential trade agreement can lead to utilization of the existing potential to its full extent. However, the two sides should expedite efforts for Free Trade Agreement for maximizing trade. The Chairman added that Pakistan aims to provide investment opportunities to Indonesia in various sectors such as energy, construction, textile, telecom, finance, agriculture and the Halal food industry. He told the Ambassador that Indonesian people can enjoy citrus fruits and mangoes from Pakistan. Likewise Indonesian products can gain market in Pakistan. 

Talking about terrorism, the Chairman said that both Pakistan and Indonesia have been victims of terrorist activities from within and outside their territories. War on terror can not be won by any country alone and Pakistan has rendered immense sacrifices for the sake of world peace otherwise terrorism might have spread to other countries. The world particularly our friends should support Pakistan in this regard.

The Chairman Bokhari said that we acknowledge committed support of Indonesia and are confident that Indonesia will spearhead the efforts to help Pakistan attain full dialogue partnership with ASEAN.

The Chairman also previously appreciated Indonesia’s support during 1965 war and recent dispatch of a medical team to combat dengue fever in Pakistan.

Earlier, Indonesian Ambassador congratulated Chairman Bokhari for his elevation to this coveted position and expressed hope that under his guidance Senate will be working more effectively and efficiently. He also extended his deep sorrow and grief and conveyed sympathies and offered condolence on behalf of Indonesian people and government on the sad incidence of Bhoja Air Plane crash tragedy and Siachin Avalanche victims.

Mr. Ishak termed Pakistan-Indonesia relations as very special and thanked Pakistan’s support to Indonesian gorilla fighters during their war of Independence (1947-50) against Dutch and later for Pakistan’s all-out assistance in 2004 tsunami. He said that our relationship is very unique because we supported each other in good and bad times.

Indonesian Ambassador reiterated “Now is the time that we should work hard to make the maximum of our potential and should try to gain maximum benefit by increasing closeness and utilization of human resource potential for benefit of the two brotherly countries”.

He told the Chairman that next week Indonesian Parliamentary delegation will be visiting Pakistan and will hold important meetings with their counterparts and members of Pakistan-Indonesia Parliamentary Friendship Group to explore new avenues of cooperation. Talking about enhancing people to people contacts further he said that since 2009 onwards there has been continuous exchange of cultural troupe between both the countries and Indonesian trade delegation is likely to participate in 2^nd Trade Expo at Lahore.   

Indonesian Ambassador also held meeting with Deputy Chairman Senate Sabir
Baloch and exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and significance. Talking about ties between the two countries, Deputy Chairman said “The special relations between Pakistan-Indonesia are time tested and deep rooted and very natural with the momentum of their own”. He also stressed the need to enhance cooperation in various fields and people to people contacts. Sabir Baloch said that both the countries should enhance cooperation to curb terrorism, increase trade and investment, exchange expertise and explore tourism enhancement opportunities and cultural exchanges.     

********************