Islamabad, December 10, 2025 – The Europe Today: Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Tuesday expressed profound appreciation to the Government of Pakistan for the exceptional reception accorded to him, including the deployment of six JF-17 fighter jets to escort his aircraft upon entering Pakistani airspace during his official visit on December 8.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif — monitored online from Jakarta — President Prabowo described the gesture as a remarkable honor and an expression of the warm friendship between the two nations.
“I would like to extend my deepest and most genuine gratitude and respect for you, your government, and the people of Pakistan for the warm welcome you have presented me,” he told Prime Minister Sharif.
Recounting the moment his aircraft entered Pakistani airspace, Prabowo said he was moved by the sight of Pakistani Air Force pilots accompanying him aboard JF-17 Thunder jets — a gesture he said underscored mutual respect and close ties between Jakarta and Islamabad.
“Even before making landfall in Pakistan, I was welcomed mid-air by your esteemed Air Force pilots flying JF-17 Thunder aircraft. It was truly an extraordinary honor for me,” the Indonesian President remarked.
Prabowo commenced his official visit to Pakistan on Monday, where he was received at Nur Khan Base in Islamabad by President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Sharif, and other senior officials. The visit marks the first by an Indonesian head of state since former President Joko Widodo’s trip seven years ago.
Prime Minister Sharif, in his remarks, echoed Prabowo’s sentiment, emphasizing that Pakistan attached great value to the visit.
“Welcome to Pakistan, my brother, Mr. President. It is a great pleasure for the government and people of Pakistan, as well as for me personally, to welcome you to Pakistan — your second home — on the visit you initiated yourself,” he said.
Sharif further noted that the mid-air escort was not a standard protocol but a special gesture reserved to honor the leader of the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation. He added that Pakistan should have done even more to underscore the importance of Prabowo’s visit.
The two leaders also discussed bilateral cooperation and the outcomes of their meeting held at the Prime Minister’s House, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and Indonesia.
