Pakistan Ambassador to Indonesia Sanaullah has vowed to enhance co-operation between Pakistan and Indonesia and hoped to increase trade volume from existing $1.2 billion to 2 billion dollars in next two years. "Unfortunately, the trade volume is only 1.2 billion dollars and that is small. I hope that two years from now it will be two billion dollars," he said this in a panel interview with Indonesian journalists.
He said the two countries trade mostly covers furniture sector, restaurants and palm oil. Sanaullah, who took up his assignment in Jakarta in November 2009, thinks that Indonesia-Pakistan relations cannot be seen in isolation from the history of the two countries, development of various issues along with the phenomenon of globalisation.
The relationship is not confined only to government representatives but also has a cultural, educational and trade orientation. "Certain other areas, such as energy and climate change can't also be ignored. There is a good scope for further expanding this co-operation", he said.
"Pakistan and Indonesia have much in common, such as culture, religion, and are both Asian countries. We will not forget the role of Indonesia after Pakistan achieved its independence," said the Ambassador. "No matter where you go, people that you come across;, whether commoners or businessmen, they would always give you a smile. They may not be very well off but they have smile on their lips," said Sanaullah who is very impressed with the hospitality of Indonesian people.
Sanaullah was keen to explain many things about Indonesia-Pakistan relations, political conditions and his country's cuisine. He said the first Indonesian President, Soekarno is well known in Pakistan. Even there is one street named after him. So, the people in Pakistan grew up with the knowledge of Indonesia. Talking about the situation in Pakistan Sanaullah said, "We (Pakistan and Afghanistan) have a very good relationship, we are like brothers and have a historical relationship."
"Peace and stability in Afghanistan will ensure peace and stability in Pakistan. We continue to work together on this, For that we need international support. What is needed is to fight with ideas, not with weapons," he said. According to Sanaullah even now there are two million Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Sanaullah said that he hasn't visited many places in Indonesia as yet. He has been to Bali, Yogyakarta, Solo and Bandung and likes Indonesian food especially Padang, it is similar to Pakistani cuisine, he added. During his leisure time, Sanaullah said he often attended to his hobbies, such as painting, writing poems, and doing the ceramics.