Security enhancement: Japan to provide hybrid vehicles for police

The vehicles are worth Rs490 million.

ISLAMABAD:

The Japanese government has pledged to provide hybrid vehicles worth Rs490 million (500 million yen or $4.93 million) for Pakistani police.

An agreement to this effect was signed by Japanese ambassador Hiroshi Inomata and Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Secretary Nargis Sethi here on Thursday, said a press release.

Interior and the communications ministries had requested for procurement of hybrid vehicles for the law enforcement agencies.

The assistance is provided under the Non-Project Grant Aid, for the promotion of socio-economic development efforts in developing countries by providing foreign currency for the import of necessary goods.

Addressing the signing ceremony, ambassador Inomata said, “Security enhancement is indispensable for successful socio-economic development and the Government of Japan remains committed to improving capabilities of law enforcement agencies in Pakistan”.



Hybrid vehicles consume less fuel and emit less greenhouse effect gases than conventional cars. The vehicles will not only enable the police to reduce fuel costs, but also help address environmental challenges.

In the field of security and law enforcement, the envoy said, his government, through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has provided training to around 50 police officers during the last ten years in areas such as forensic science, drug control and terrorism investigation.

Last year, Japan also agreed to install cargo and vehicle scanning devices at three international airports - Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. JICA is currently conducting a feasibility study for improvement of container cargo inspection at two ports in Karachi.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2014.