Japanese Ambassador meets KP Chief Minister

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Japanese Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda met Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and discussed areas of mutual interests and developmental projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The meeting also agreed over mutual cooperation between government of KP and Japanese government.

Japanese Ambassador Mr. Kuninori Matsuda called on Chief Minister here at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House Islamabad.

The Chief Minister said that with the assistance of JICA, roads and other infrastructure in the Newly Merged Tribal Districts (NMDs) will be improved which will enhance commercial activities and will provide better travelling facilities to the people of NMDs.

The Chief Minister said that 700 km roads and 10 numbers of bridges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be rehabilitated with a cost of Rs.28 billion with the support and assistance of JICA, while roads, bridges and other infrastructure in rural areas will also be improved.

The Chief Minister stated that strengthening of roads infrastructure will help promote tourism and trade activities in the province. Chief Minister furthered that government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, through planning commission of Pakistan, has forwarded the concept paper regarding improvement and rehabilitation of damaged rural roads and bridges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to JICA and embassy of Japan.

The Chief Minister stated that the selection of roads has been done on merit basis including roads leading to basic public facilities and those that were damaged by natural disasters.

The Chief Minister reiterated that Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan is taking efforts for improving accessibility to social services and enhancing community activities. In this regard, the Prime Minister also launched the Kamyab Jawan Program for the uplifting socio economic position of the country.

The Chief Minister said that opening of Torkham border 24/7 hours and improvement of infrastructure has increased trade and business activities in the province. He furthered that the incumbent provincial government is also taking steps for the improvement of trade activities with the Central Asian Countries which will further strengthen economy of the province.

He said that rehabilitation of road infrastructure will further boost tourism, trade and exploration of Mines & Minerals in the province. “Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is specially focused on promotion of national and international tourism in the province which will increase provincial revenue significantly”, he added.

The Chief Minister also thanked JICA and Japanese government for their assistance and cooperation in developmental projects for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and hoped that both the governments will further enhance coordination and bilateral cooperation in this regard.

On the occasion, the Japanese Ambassador Mr. Kuninori Matsuda expressed satisfaction over the improved law & order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and praised the government for promoting tourism and trade activities in the province.

He indicated that President of JICA is expected to visit Pakistan and will also meet Prime Minister Imran Khan. Provincial Minister Elementary & Secondary Education Akbar Ayub, Secretary C&W and others also attended the meeting.