Karachi: In a meeting at Bilawal House in Karachi, Pakistan’s First Lady, Asifa Bhutto Zardari, met with the Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan, Chandra Warsenanto Sukotjo, and his spouse. The gathering focused on enhancing economic cooperation and fostering long-standing friendly relations between the two countries.

According to Press Information Department, the First Lady congratulated the Ambassador on the successful organization of the Pakistan-Indonesia Investment Forum in Karachi. She expressed appreciation for his efforts to strengthen economic engagement between Pakistan and Indonesia. The First Lady emphasized the deep-rooted ties between the two nations, highlighting their shared history of mutual respect and cooperation in promoting regional peace and development.

The meeting delved into potential areas for expanded collaboration, including trade, agriculture, education, healthcare, and technology transfer. The First Lady highlighted the importance of agricultural cooperation, noting Indonesia’s role as a key destination for Pakistan’s rice exports. She also pointed out the significance of ongoing government efforts to revive the rice cooperation framework, which could offer new opportunities for farmers and exporters.

The discussion also covered the potential for future collaboration in food security, women-led entrepreneurship, and educational exchanges. The First Lady expressed interest in learning from Indonesia’s successful family planning initiatives and expanding cooperation in healthcare, including vaccine development and polio eradication efforts in Pakistan.

Ambassador Sukotjo shared insights from his recent visit to Sindh Province, noting its agricultural and economic potential. He reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including trade and cultural exchanges. The Ambassador presented the First Lady with a commemorative publication depicting the evolution of Pakistan-Indonesia relations.

The First Lady conveyed her warm greetings to the Indonesian government and expressed hope for continued flourishing relations between the two countries, with further expansion of cooperation across various fields for the mutual benefit of their peoples.