Secretary General United Business Group and former President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Zafar Bakhgawari has said that Pakistan and Indonesia enjoy cordial relations which are strengthening with the passage of time and that both are bonded in religious, historic and cultural ties. Pakistani nation can never forget the Indonesian support during the 1965 and 1971 wars and will forever remain thankful to the Indonesian leadership as well as the people, he added. Zafar Bakhtawari stated this while talking to media persons on Sunday after attending the Indonesian flag hoisting ceremony held at the Embassy in connection with the 79th Independence Day of Indonesia, led by the Charge d’ Affaires Rahmat Hindiarta kussuma. He further stated that Indonesia the largest economy in ASEAN and the world’s 13th big economy was predicted to be the 4th largest economy in the world by 2045. He emphasized that direct flight between the two countries are much needed to further strengthen the existing relations between the two countries and for the economic advancement and unlocking the tourism potential of both the sides.

The business leader also extended his sincere congratulations to the Charge d’ Affaires on behalf of the business community by wishing economic well being of the two countries. Embassy’s officials along with their families and hundreds of Indonesian diaspora based in different cities of Pakistan, attended the ceremony in Indonesian traditional fervor. Prominent religious leaders, representatives of the dynamic business community, experts from reputable think tanks, and journalists were also present on the special occasion.  The Indonesian Chargé d’ Affaires expressed his sincere gratitude to all the guests for joining the celebration by raising the slogan, Indonesia, Pakistan dosti zindabad. He also honored a group of Indonesian students in Pakistan with the certificate of appreciation for pursuing their higher level academic programs with distinction. The ceremony was also attended by Adnan Jamil, former caretaker Provincial Minister KPK, Tariq Ullah Sufi prominent business leader from Lahore, Rizwana Asif, President Islamabad Women Chamber, Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali, Chairman Muslim Institute. The ceremony concluded with the special prayers for the economic progress and prosperity of the two brotherly countries.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan