Prabowo Receives Rare Dual Welcome From Pakistan Leaders

ISLAMABAD, Investortrust.id — President Prabowo Subianto arrives in Islamabad on Monday, Dec 8, 2025 at noon to begin a state visit extended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and the prime minister greet him directly on the tarmac, a gesture underscoring the strategic weight of the two countries partnership. The visit also marks the 75th anniversary of Indonesia Pakistan diplomatic relations and signals Jakarta intention to strengthen cooperation amid shifting regional dynamics.

Prabowo enters Pakistani airspace aboard the presidential aircraft Garuda Indonesia 1 under escort by six JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, a tribute reserved for heads of state. The aircraft lands at Nur Khan Airbase where Prabowo receives full military honors, including a formation of guards, a 21-gun salute, and a ceremonial welcome featuring a young Pakistani child presenting flowers.

Indonesian Ambassador to Pakistan Chandra Warsenanto and Defense Attache Colonel Henru Hidayat Susanto stand alongside Pakistan leadership at the arrival ceremony. The formal welcome revives historical memory of President Sukarno landmark visit to Pakistan in 1950, which laid the foundation of a long-standing relationship built on solidarity and developing-world cooperation.

Prabowo has accepted the invitation from Shehbaz twice, once at the D8 Summit in Cairo and again after the Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm El Sheikh. Indonesian officials view this visit as a timely opportunity to deepen collaboration in security, economic partnerships, and global peace initiatives.

As Prabowo moves from the airbase to his hotel, the diplomatic pageantry gives way to a warm cultural reception from Indonesian citizens living in Pakistan. A group of women from the Indonesian diaspora, coordinated by the Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad, greet the president by performing patriotic songs using angklung, a traditional bamboo instrument.

Tamara, one of the performers, says the group prepared in unusually tight conditions. "We only had less than ten days of practice because everyone was so excited," she says. "What mattered most was the spirit. All the mothers were enthusiastic." She adds that the angklung pieces revived a sense of home for Indonesians living abroad.

The group has appeared at several diplomatic events in Islamabad, including the 75th anniversary reception for Indonesia Pakistan relations and the Indonesian Expo. "Alhamdulillah, everyone always welcomes us," Tamara says, describing positive reactions from the local and international community.

Prabowo pauses to listen to the performance and hums along as he approaches the group, a moment that deeply moves the performers. "He joined in the melody. We were happy to see him walk toward us," Tamara says. She offers a simple message for the president: "We hope he stays healthy and full of spirit because all of us are full of spirit too."

Foreign Minister Sugiono and Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya accompany Prabowo on the visit, which follows his overnight stay in Aceh as he monitored disaster response efforts for the Sumatra floods before departing for Islamabad.