Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during the 11th Summit of the Developing Eight (D-8) countries in Cairo, Egypt, where both leaders pledged to enhance bilateral relations, particularly in economic and trade sectors.
A statement from the PM Office highlighted their discussions, which focused on fostering political, economic, and trade cooperation. The leaders agreed to maintain close contact to advance mutual interests and strengthen ties.
PM Shehbaz praised Indonesia as a reliable trade partner, especially in the supply of palm oil, which fulfills a significant portion of Pakistan’s edible oil requirements. He also expressed gratitude for Indonesia’s support in Pakistan’s bid to become a sectoral dialogue partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and a member of its Regional Forum.
Looking ahead, the prime minister voiced hope that with Indonesia’s cooperation, Pakistan would achieve full dialogue partnership status within ASEAN.
Joint Support for Palestine
Both leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Palestine, advocating a ceasefire in Gaza and a two-state solution to establish an independent Palestinian state.
PM Shehbaz invited President Subianto to visit Pakistan, an invitation that was graciously accepted.
Delegation and D-8 Summit Participation
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ataullah Tarar, accompanied PM Shehbaz during the talks.
The prime minister is leading Pakistan’s delegation at the 11th D-8 Summit, themed “Investing in Youth and Supporting SMEs: Shaping Tomorrow’s Economy.”
About D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation
Established in 1997 in Istanbul, the D-8 aims to enhance economic collaboration among member states: Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkiye. The organization focuses on areas such as agriculture, trade, transportation, industry, energy, and tourism to promote sustainable development and improve living standards.
The discussions mark a significant step forward in bolstering Pakistan-Indonesia relations and advancing shared goals within the D-8 framework.
