Zubair Qureshi
Ambassador of Indonesia Iwan S. Amri has lauded the success story of Pakistan against Covid-19 pandemic terming the government’s smart lockdown strategy quite impressive and timely.
The Ambassador said it was heartening to learn the steep decline witnessed in Covid-19 cases and fatalities. He congratulated the government and the people of Pakistan on this remarkable achievement.
Ambassador Amri was speaking at Hop-A-Thon Ambassadors Congress organized by the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPD) themed as “Surviving Corona, Coming Out Stronger Together”.
In his remarks the Indonesia ambassador said in the wake of the pandemic Indonesia and Pakistan were faced with similar challenges and both the countries could cooperate and work together in overcoming challenges particularly those in the economic areas.
He availed himself of the opportunity and on behalf of the people and Government of Indonesia to extend the heartiest felicitations and best wishes to the people and Government of Pakistan on the auspicious occasion of the 74th Independence Day. The Ambassador noted with pleasure that Indonesia and Pakistan have been enjoying excellent diplomatic relations which were established even before the independence of the two countries.
Ambassador Amri also expressed his gratitude to the Pakistan authorities especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and PIA for extending their full support and cooperation in smooth repatriation of stranded Indonesian citizens in Pakistan during the lockdown restrictions.
He highlighted that both the countries had a proud history of helping out each other during the natural calamities. Both the countries fully realize that keeping a balance between saving lives and economy at the same time was a daunting task for any underdeveloped country, he added. In this scenario, I must admire Pakistan for devising a dynamic, innovative, comprehensive and successful strategy that included small lockdown, consultation, coordination and monitoring through NCOC, establishment of Tiger Force and launching of economic stimulus package that not only saved many precious lives but served as shock absorber for the economy and helped the vulnerable segments of the society in pandemic critical phase.
The Ambassador highly commended the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPD) for inviting him @Hop-A-Thon Ambassadors Congress and appreciated the excellent initiative of Mr. Asif Noor for giving him and his colleagues from the diplomatic community an opportunity to share their thoughts on such unprecedented global issue with local implications affecting our lives in so many ways.
The Ambassador concluded by wishing peace and prosperity to the people of Pakistan and said that he confidently looks forward to a very cordial, greater all round cooperation and dynamic bilateral relationship between the two brotherly countries in the future ahead.
