Pakistan Rolls Out Rare JF-17 Escort as Prabowo Arrives in Islamabad

Jakarta: President Prabowo Subianto expressed his appreciation to the Pakistani government for deploying six JF-17 fighter jets to escort his aircraft as it entered the country’s airspace on Monday, December 8.

“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and respect to you, your government, and the people of Pakistan for the warm welcome you have given me,” Prabowo said during a joint press conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, monitored online from Jakarta on Tuesday.

He noted that the mid-air escort was an exceptional gesture from Pakistan’s military. “Even before landing in Pakistan, I was welcomed mid-air by your esteemed Air Force pilots flying JF-17 Thunder aircraft. It was truly an extraordinary honor for me,” he said.

Prabowo began his official visit to Pakistan on Monday, where he was received at Nur Khan Base in Islamabad by PM Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and several high-level officials.

Sharif conveyed similar sentiments during the press conference, saying it was a pleasure to host Prabowo at his official residence. “Welcome to Pakistan, my brother, Mr. President. It is a great pleasure for the government and people of Pakistan, as well as for me personally, to welcome you to Pakistan—your second home,” he said.

Regarding the JF-17 escort, Sharif emphasized that such a procedure was not routine and was arranged specifically to honor Prabowo as the leader of the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.

He added that Pakistan “should have done even more,” noting that Prabowo’s visit was the first by an Indonesian president since Joko Widodo’s visit seven years ago.