ISLAMABAD, July 24 – In a meeting marked by goodwill and cultural unity, Pakistan and Indonesia vowed to deepen cooperation in heritage, culture, and public diplomacy. The commitment came during a call-on by Indonesian Minister Counsellor for Public Diplomacy, Mr. Rahmat Hindiarta, to Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Division, Mr. Aurangzeb Khan Khichi.
Both sides praised their long-standing brotherhood, rooted in shared civilizational values and mutual respect. Discussions focused on preserving ancient Buddhist heritage that binds the cultural histories of the two nations. The Indonesian envoy highlighted the spiritual significance of sites like Bali, while commending Pakistan’s Sufi traditions and hospitality during his visits to Punjab and Sindh.
Mr. Rahmat called for stronger people-to-people ties through cultural festivals, tourism exchanges, and institutional collaboration. In response, Minister Khichi emphasized Indonesia’s historic support for Pakistan and proposed heritage tours to sites such as Taxila, Takht Bahi, and Shah Allah Ditta. He also announced the establishment of a Buddha Heritage Centre in Islamabad to promote spiritual tourism.
Pakistan shared its readiness to sign new cultural agreements, building on over 90 MoUs signed globally. Minister Khichi invited Indonesia to showcase its music and arts at the upcoming Lok Virsa Folk Festival. He also offered PNCA as a stage for Indonesian artists and pledged to streamline visa facilitation for cultural and religious tourism.
Both countries agreed to appoint focal persons for documenting historical cultural links. The Indonesian Embassy’s initiative to set up an “Indonesian Corner” at the National Library was hailed as a symbol of friendship. Cultural books and gifts were exchanged, and creative partnerships were discussed with representatives from the arts and design sector.