The "Nishan-e-Pakistan" star of honor is the highest award given by the Government of Pakistan to foreign leaders or important figures who are considered to have made extraordinary services and contributed to Pakistan both at the national and international levels.
The award was given to President Prabowo, who was considered to have rendered great services and made extraordinary contributions in strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, according to an official release from the Presidential Secretariat confirmed in Jakarta, early Wednesday morning.
In the ceremony of awarding the highest star, President Zardari was accompanied by Pakistani Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, and witnessed by a number of officials from the two countries, members of the Pakistani parliament, and ambassadors from friendly countries in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The award to President Prabowo reflects the Pakistani government's recognition of Indonesia's strategic role in the Indo-Pacific region and President Prabowo's commitment to strengthening defense, economic cooperation, and solidarity within the Islamic world, according to an official release from the Presidential Secretariat.
Since it was first given on March 19 1957, "Nishan-e-Pakistan" has also been given to a number of state leaders including Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Hussein, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Brunei Darussalam Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
The award also serves as a symbol of respect for the historical relationship between Indonesia and Pakistan that has existed since the time of President Soekarno, and strengthens the strategic partnership between the two countries amidst global geopolitical dynamics.
The official release also stated that the award also reflects the hope that cooperation between the two countries will further increase in the fields of defense, economics, technology, food, and solidarity of the Muslim world.
