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undreds of dignitaries celebrated the 72nd anniversary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Jakarta on Wednesday with Pakistan Ambassador to Indonesia, Sanaullah, emphasizing his country’s commitment to promoting global peace.

Among the dignitaries present at the JW Marriott Hotel was Communications and Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring.

In his remarks, Ambassador Sanaullah said, “In the last 66 years of our existence, we have braved many trials and tribulations. But nothing hindered our working with the international community to promote global peace and stability. As a symbol of Pakistan’s positive contribution, the country was elected a member of the UN Security Council last year.”

He added that the country also strived to broaden its connectivity in trade, investment and people-to-people contacts with ASEAN nations.

“We hope to achieve full dialogue partnership to actively participate in ASEAN programs,” he said, “Pakistan, because of its strategic location, can serve as a robust multiplier for ASEAN trade.”

Sanaullah also expressed his country’s respect for Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno.

“Due to leaders like him — if I have to sum up the bilateral relations — I would say, relations are rock solid with a huge reservoir of goodwill and potential for growth,” he said.

Tifatul shared the sentiment, saying that Pakistan was an important country to work with.

“We want to advance our cooperation with Pakistan, especially in the agricultural sector. Also, considering that it is a Muslim country, there are relatively few barriers between us,” said Tifatul.

Indonesia and Pakistan are both enjoying a surge in economic growth. The two countries have
targeted to reach US$2.5 billion in bilateral trade by the end of this year.

In 2011, for the first time, bilateral trade between the two countries surpassed $1.42 billion, registering an increase of 46.06 percent over the same period the year before. Imports from Pakistan leaped by 107.81 percent, while Indonesia’s grew by 36.01 percent.

In a bid to boost bilateral economic cooperation and to expand the trade deal into a free trade agreement, Pakistan and Indonesia formally signed a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in Jakarta on Feb. 3.