Bilateral ties: Indonesian journalists exchange views with think tank officials

An Indonesian media delegation headed by Julia Suryakusuma from the Jakarta Post and Indonesian Ambassador Burhan Muhammad visited the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) on Monday to exchange views on different issues effecting Pakistan and Indonesia.

According to a press release issued by IPRI, on the question of women empowerment in Pakistan, the delegation was told that the presence of women was quite visible in all walks of life except in conservative sections of society.

About terrorism on women, that women suffered a lot, particularly in the tribal areas as their schools were burnt down and their freedom had been restricted. Nevertheless, women and girls like Malala Yousafzai stood firm in the face of such harsh actions and were bravely fighting on.

Similarly, electronic and social media were also crucial in raising awareness among women about empowerment and their rights.

Nivell Androfani Rayda of the Jakarta Post asked about the impact on Pakistan of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

An IPRI scholar answered that peace in Afghanistan was needed for peace in Pakistan. Pakistan was in favour of a peace agreement among the US, the Afghan government, and the Taliban.  Inclusion of all ethnic groups of Afghanistan was necessary, he said.

Acting IPRI President Dr Noorul Haq said Pakistan and Indonesia share close and cordial relations and acknowledged the fact that Indonesia explicitly supported Pakistan’s bid for membership of the  Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum in July 2004 and also hoped to have similar support for candidature as a full partner of ASEAN.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2013.