Pakistan, Japan agree to expand development cooperation

Pakistan and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening long-standing development cooperation, with both sides agreeing to expand collaboration in economic reforms, mineral development

Pakistan and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening long-standing development cooperation, with both sides agreeing to expand collaboration in economic reforms, mineral development, technical training, and human resource development during a high-level meeting in Islamabad.

The understanding was reached during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and a nine-member delegation led by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr. Tanaka Akihiko.

Welcoming the delegation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the seven-decade partnership between Pakistan and Japan as a cornerstone of bilateral relations, expressing confidence that the JICA president’s visit would inject fresh momentum into cooperation between the two countries.

The prime minister highlighted the government’s ongoing economic reform agenda, stating that Pakistan had successfully navigated a challenging economic period through coordinated efforts and was now focused on achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

He said the government’s reform programme had produced encouraging results, noting that national revenues had doubled over the past three years. According to the prime minister, these improvements were creating greater fiscal space for investment in development priorities and public welfare.

Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that equipping young people with modern skills and technical education remains one of the government’s foremost priorities. He said the administration is also committed to creating quality employment opportunities and promoting the economic empowerment of women as part of its broader development strategy.

During the meeting, the prime minister welcomed JICA’s technical assistance in Pakistan’s minerals sector, describing the cooperation as timely given the country’s vast untapped mineral resources. He also appreciated JICA’s collaboration with the Small and Medium Industrial Development Authority (SMIDA), saying such partnerships would help strengthen industrial capacity, improve productivity, and boost Pakistan’s exports.

The discussions also covered ways to broaden bilateral cooperation in areas including infrastructure development, capacity building, vocational training, and investment promotion. Both sides acknowledged the importance of expanding technical collaboration to support Pakistan’s long-term economic transformation.

JICA President Dr. Tanaka Akihiko thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his warm welcome and appreciation, reaffirming Japan’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s development journey.

He noted that JICA and Pakistan share a long-standing partnership built on mutual trust and cooperation, adding that the agency remains ready to further expand its engagement across multiple sectors, including economic development, human resource development, and technical cooperation.