ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Japan here on Tuesday signed a landmark Grant Agreement worth JPY 350 million (US$ 2.2 million) to bolster the Human Resource Development Scholarship Program (JDS) 2026.
The grant agreement was signed by Senior Joint Secretary representing the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Miran Mohiyuddin Soomro and Chief Representative of JICA Pakistan, Yusuke Shinozaki while Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Muhammad Humair Karim and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi signed the Record of Discussions & Exchange of Notes.
The ceremony was also attended by senior officials from the Embassy of Japan, JICA and ministry of Economic Affairs, according to press release issued here.
It said, Japan, through JICA, has extended this generous grant to Pakistan, marking the 9th installment of the JDS project since its inception in 2018. This year, the grant will provide sixteen (16) scholarships for Masters’ program and one (1) for PhD/Doctorate program at prestigious universities in Japan for young Federal Civil Service and Ex-Cadre officers of Pakistan.
Since 2018, eight (8) batches, each comprising around 17-18 participants, have benefited from the JDS scholarships. This initiative has significantly enhanced the capacity and performance of young officers who play a crucial role in the socio-economic development of Pakistan. Additionally, Japan frequently invites Pakistani government officials to participate in various short-term training courses in Japan.
Speaking on the occasion, Humair Karim, expressed profound gratitude to the government and people of Japan for their unwavering support, ensuring all necessary facilitation for furthering meaningful cooperation between the two nations.
ON the occasion, Akamatsu Shuichi and Yusuke Shinozaki, assured of their commitment to work closely with the government of Pakistan to further strengthen the friendly ties and bilateral cooperation.
