Japan to help improve lives of Pakistanis

Islamabad:Ambassador of Japan Akamatsu Shuichi on Wednesday said the Japanese government was committed to supporting the people of Pakistan in improving their living standards.

"I'm hopeful that this project will strengthen friendship between the people of Japan and Pakistan," Shuichi told a function held for the inauguration of a paved link road in the Jhandwal village in Shinkiari area.

The project, implemented by NGO Saibaan Development Organisation under the Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Programme with the financial assistance of $56,418, led to the pavement of a 3,800 feet link road, along with the construction of retaining walls and culverts.

The Japanese ambassador said the project, funded by the government of Japan, improved people’s quality of life in the remote region by mitigating the peoples’ difficulties of traveling in village and nearby areas.

He said the road provided a safe and reliable route to school for 330 children, while also improving access to healthcare facilities and markets for 2,700 local people. "The pavement of this link road is not just about building a road—it opens up access to opportunities, connects communities to vital services and creates an environment for further growth," he said. The envoy said the project would significantly contribute to the overall development and betterment of the area.