ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Japan have signed a grant agreement for a flood protection project in Sindh, with Tokyo providing 2.58 billion Japanese yen, equivalent to approximately $16.4 million, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The project is aimed at strengthening flood protection infrastructure in Sindh and improving the resilience of communities vulnerable to flooding and other natural disasters.
Under the project, the Old Abad Bund, located on the right bank of the Indus River in Larkana, will be improved and strengthened. The Economic Affairs Ministry said the project would help make flood protection infrastructure more effective and reduce risks to vulnerable communities.
The Exchange of Notes and Record of Discussion were signed by Economic Affairs Secretary Muhammad Humair Karim and Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Akamatsu Shuichi.
The grant agreement was signed by Additional Secretary Economic Affairs Sabina Qureshi and senior representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Sugawara Takayuki.
Speaking on the occasion, Humair Karim described Japan as Pakistan’s longstanding and valued development partner and appreciated Tokyo’s continued friendship and generous development assistance.
He also praised Japan’s sustained commitment to Pakistan’s socioeconomic development, saying its continued development assistance remained valuable for the country.
Japanese Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi said the initiative would further strengthen the longstanding friendly relations and bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Japan.
The project is expected to enhance flood preparedness in the targeted areas of Sindh by strengthening critical infrastructure along the Indus River and improving the ability of local communities to withstand future flooding.
