JICA chief explores future cooperation during Pakistan visit

Dr Tanaka Akihiko's first visit to Pakistan as JICA chief focuses on uplift projects

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) President Dr Tanaka Akihiko is visiting Pakistan from August 1 to 5, marking his first official visit to the country and the first visit by a JICA president since 2020.

During his visit, Dr Tanaka will inspect JICA-supported projects and hold meetings with the prime minister, Punjab chief minister and senior government officials.

As the implementing agency for Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA), JICA has been supporting Pakistan's development for more than 70 years. Under its vision of "Leading the world with trust", JICA has contributed to sustainable development in various sectors, including education, health, disaster management, gender, governance, private sector development and information and communication technology, along with infrastructure projects involving roads and electricity networks.

A key part of Dr Tanaka's visit will be his tour of project sites under the Faisalabad Water Supply Improvement Project, one of Japan's major urban infrastructure initiatives in Pakistan.

Faisalabad, Pakistan's third-largest city, has faced challenges in meeting the increasing demand for safe drinking water due to rapid population growth and urban expansion.

To address these issues, JICA supported the preparation of the "Faisalabad Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Master Plan" from 2016 to 2019, which provided a roadmap for sustainable water and sanitation services until 2038.

Based on the master plan, JICA provided grant assistance of JPY 4.094 billion for the "Project for the Improvement of Water Treatment Plant and Water Distribution System in Faisalabad".