Karachi – The Vice Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, B.A., M.Sc., held a high-level courtesy meeting with the First Lady of Pakistan, H.E. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, at Bilawal House, Karachi, on Saturday, January 10, 2026. The meeting, characterized by warmth and mutual respect, was also attended by the Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, provincial cabinet ministers, and senior officials from both nations.
Accompanying the Vice Minister were Satya Widya Yudha, Member of the National Energy Council of Indonesia, and the Indonesian Consul General in Karachi, Mudzakir.
The discussions at the First Lady’s official residence underscored the deep-rooted ties between the two nations, focusing on building a more meaningful and sustainable partnership. Central to the dialogue was women’s empowerment, the strategic role of women in politics, and their vital contributions to advancing education, healthcare, and social welfare.
The First Lady shared her insights and experiences in championing social programs that directly benefit the public. In turn, the Indonesian Vice Minister reflected on her tenure in parliament and her current governmental role, emphasizing her dedication to inclusivity, sustainable development, and female leadership.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister of Sindh expressed the provincial government’s commitment to strengthening food security cooperation with Indonesia. To this end, the Indonesian Consul General reported that the Consulate has already facilitated a partnership between Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam and IPB University (Bogor Agricultural University). This collaboration will focus on researcher and academic exchanges, as well as joint seminars on food security, designed to engage the private sector for mutually beneficial economic outcomes.
On the economic front, Vice Minister Dyah Roro Esti informed the First Lady of the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Joint Trade Commission with Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan. This MoU serves as a pivotal instrument in strengthening the Indonesia–Pakistan trade partnership and acts as a strategic stepping stone toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
This meeting reaffirms the shared resolve of Indonesia and Pakistan to expand cooperation across both economic and social sectors—including education, health, and food security—to ensure the continued progress and prosperity of both nations.
The engagement concluded with a formal exchange of commemorative gifts.
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