Pakistan, Japan sign $2.2 million grant agreement for civil servants’ scholarships

The governments of Pakistan and Japan have signed a grant agreement worth JPY 350 million, equivalent to around $2.2 million, to support the Human Resource Development Scholarship Programme (JDS) for 2026.

ISLAMABAD: The governments of Pakistan and Japan have signed a grant agreement worth JPY 350 million, equivalent to around $2.2 million, to support the Human Resource Development Scholarship Programme (JDS) for 2026.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Economic Affairs on Tuesday, August 11, as both countries reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in human resource development and institutional capacity building.

Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Muhammad Humair Karim and Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Akamatsu Shuichi signed the Record of Discussions and Exchange of Notes during the ceremony.

The grant agreement was separately signed by Miran Mohiyuddin Soomro, Senior Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Yusuke Shinozaki, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Pakistan.

Senior representatives from the Embassy of Japan, JICA and Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs also attended the signing ceremony.

17 scholarships to be offered

Under the latest phase of the JDS programme, 17 Pakistani government officials will receive scholarships to pursue higher education at leading Japanese universities.

The 2026 programme will offer 16 scholarships for master’s degree programmes and one scholarship for a doctoral programme. The initiative is primarily aimed at young officers serving in Pakistan’s Federal Civil Service and Ex-Cadre services.

The scholarship programme is designed to enhance the professional expertise of government officials by providing them with opportunities to acquire advanced academic knowledge and specialized skills in Japan.

Officials who benefit from the programme are expected to contribute to policymaking, public administration and Pakistan’s broader socio-economic development after completing their studies.

Ninth phase since 2018

The latest grant marks the ninth instalment of Japan’s JDS programme in Pakistan since its launch in 2018.

Over the past eight batches, approximately 17 to 18 Pakistani officials per batch have benefited from the scholarship initiative. The programme has consequently created a growing network of Pakistani officials with exposure to Japanese academic institutions, public-sector practices and professional training.

The JDS initiative is part of Japan’s broader development cooperation with Pakistan, with a particular focus on strengthening human resources and improving the capacity of government institutions.

In addition to the long-term JDS scholarships, Japan also facilitates short-term training opportunities for Pakistani government officials in various fields. These programmes provide participants with exposure to international practices and technical expertise that can be applied to their respective departments in Pakistan.

Focus on bilateral cooperation

Speaking at the ceremony, Japanese Ambassador Akamatsu Shuichi reiterated Japan’s commitment to working with Pakistan on human resource development and other areas of mutual interest.

JICA Chief Representative Yusuke Shinozaki also expressed the agency’s willingness to continue cooperating with the Government of Pakistan to strengthen institutional capacity and promote sustainable development.

The Japanese side said such initiatives also contribute to closer people-to-people links and reinforce the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Japan.

The two countries have maintained development and economic cooperation for decades, with Japan supporting Pakistan through grants, technical assistance, training programmes and other capacity-building initiatives.

The continuation of the JDS programme is expected to further deepen bilateral cooperation while equipping Pakistani public-sector officials with knowledge and skills that can support more effective governance and economic development.