PAKISTAN AND INDONESIA BOND IN ITS 75TH NATIONAL DAY
By: Ali Farkhan Tsani and Rina Asrina, Editor of Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
On March 24, 2015, The Charge d’Affaires ad interim of Pakistan Ambassador in Indonesia, Syed Zahid Reza and his spouse Mrs. Uruj Raza invited Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) to attend its 75th National Day in Jakarta.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Indonesia A.M. Fachir also attended the event as well as other ambassadors such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, etc.
Syed Zahid Raza said in his speech, Pakistan would continue to strengthen the relationship with Indonesia just like in the past.
In 1940 on March 23, the All-India Muslim League moved a resolution in its annual session in Lahore demanded the establishment of a separate homeland for Muslims from British India. This substituted the Muslim League’s earlier demand for constitutional guarantees in a federal system for the protection and advancement of Muslim identity, rights and interests.
In 1956, Pakistan’s first constitution, approved by the second Constituent Assembly. Pakistan declared to be an Islamic Republic with a parliamentary system of government, incorporating all the basic features of a democratic political system. For a couple of years, March 23 was celebrated as National Day. However, the 1956 constitution was abolished as a result of the first military takeover on October 7, 1958. This date then began to be observed as Pakistan Day or the Pakistan Resolution Day.
First military parade in seven years
Skydiving commandos, a homemade drone and a pair of animatronic dinosaurs were all deployed by Pakistan’s army on Monday (23/3) in marking the first national day commemoration military parade in seven years in the Islamic country.
The precision parachute drops and state-of-the-art aircraft were among the attractions of a military parade that was once the highlight of the country’s National Day.
Pakistan last held a Republic Day parade in 2008 because militants might target it.
In his address Pakistan’s President Mamnoon Hussain said that the “end of terrorism” was near.
He took the salute of the parade and paid tribute to those who had lost their lives in the Peshawar attack. The ceremony was also attended by PM Nawaz Sharif, the services chiefs, ministers, diplomats and people. Chinese President Xi, however, gave it a miss. Pakistan had extended an invitation to Xi soon after US President Barack Obama visited India on its National Day.
He also stressed that Pakistan wanted to co-operate peacefully with its neighbours, saying that Islamabad was enjoying “growing relations” with Afghanistan, and was continually trying to “improve ties” with India.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “I have written to Pakistan PM… conveying my greetings on the National Day of Pakistan. It is my firm conviction that all outstanding issues can be resolved through bilateral dialogue in an atmosphere free from terror and violence.”
In New Delhi, celebrations at the Pakistan embassy are attended by Kashmiri separatist leaders including Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, the chairman of the Hurriyat Conference.
Pakistan-Indonesia relation
The ambassador Syed Zahid Reza said strong relation between Indonesia and his country has been built up since long time ago.
He put an example that Indonesian first president Sukarno was set as one of road name in Pakistan, that’s a prove that both countries has strong relation since the beginning of its freedom.
“There is a street named Sukarno in Pakistan, this is one of the evidences,” he said in an interview with Radio Silaturahim, Sunday (22/03).
On the beginning of March, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said there was a need to increase bilateral trade between Pakistan and Indonesia for making it commensurate with the warm feelings of brotherhood.
Talking about close bilateral relations between Pakistan and Indonesia, the prime minister said the two countries shared common perceptions on regional and international issues and closely cooperated at multilateral forums, always help each other.
He invited Indonesia’s Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir at the Prime Minister House. Fachir gave the prime minister an invitation from Indonesian President Joko Widodo to the 60th anniversary of Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung, and to the 10th anniversary of New Asian-African Strategic Partnership for which 109 countries have been invited.
While accepting the invitation, PM Nawaz expressed his gratitude to the Indonesian president for this gesture which he regarded as a manifestation of the brotherly relations that existed between the two countries. He said Pakistan being one of the founding members of the Bandung Conference, attached much significance to it. Pakistan, he said, appreciated Indonesia’s efforts in keeping the Bandung spirit alive.
Pakistan-Indonesia relationship are particularly special, founded on common mutual religious outlook. Indonesia is the world largest Muslim country in terms of its population, whereas Pakistan is the world second largest Muslim country. Both countries are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Pakistan has an embassy in Jakarta, whereas Indonesia has an embassy in Islamabad, and a Consulate General in Karachi.
On Defence, Pakistan has signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation (DCA).One of the key terms of the DCA is an offer to take part in joint-manufacturing between Pakistan and China of the JF-17 fighter jet. Indonesia and Pakistan also has an exchange military personnel for training.
While, bilateral trade Pakistan-Indonesia is worth around US$ 2 billion. Pakistan imports from Indonesia; kinnow, seafood,textiles, cotton yarn, medical equipment, rice, wheat and carpets while They exports palm oil to Indonesia.
On humanitarian side, Pakistan Army Task Force and the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association provided medical and relief items to Indonesia in the 2004 Tsunami, whereas Indonesia has sent 15 tons of medicine and food supplies amounting to the equivalent of $1 million and dispatching some doctors to Pakistan during the 2010 Pakistan floods.(P4/R04/R03)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
