Upgrading systems: Japan to grant Rs2.1b for airport security

Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Hiroshi Inomata signed an exchange of notes of the grant by Japan’s government.

ISLAMABAD: Japan will grant Rs2.1 billion to Pakistan to procure new security equipment at three major airports – Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Hiroshi Inomata signed an exchange of notes with Pakistan’s Secretary Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Nargis Sethi for provision of the grant by Japan’s government.

The grant aims to improve security in Pakistan. “Our assistance to Pakistan has been broadened to a security sphere. The airport security project that I cemented today is part of Japan’s efforts to respond to what Pakistan really needs for today,” said the Ambassador at the signing ceremony on Thursday.

Equipment to be procured under the grant will include 14 sets of explosive detective system (EDS), three sets of vehicle scanners and three sets of cargo vehicle scanners, it was added.

Once operational, this equipment will enable Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad airports to meet airport security standards set by the United States and the European Union.

“It is my great honour that international flights departing from Pakistan will obtain compliance and gain credibility with the help of Japanese people and our government,” the ambassador said.

In addition to the exchange of note, the grant agreement for execution of the project was also signed and exchanged between Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki and Joint Secretary, EAD, Qamar Sarwar Abbasi.