Pakistan

Japan gifts 123 hybrid cars to aid police patrols

The vehicles are part of Japan’s Non-Project Grant Aid to Pakistan

Our Correspondent November 06, 2015

Nisar reiterated the government’s gratitude for Japan’s continued commitment to socioeconomic development in the country. PHOTO: EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD: A common complaint from the country’s police forces is the lack of fuel funds to pay for patrolling vehicles. While the government has been unable to address the issue, the government of a friendly East-Asian nation has responded.

Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata on Friday handed over 123 Japanese-made hybrids vehicles to the Ministry of Interior. The Japanese embassy said the total cost of the vehicles is around 500 million Japanese Yen, or Rs435 million.

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The cars are part of Japan’s Non-Project Grant Aid (NPGA) to Pakistan, a government sponsored fund to “contribute to the promotion of socioeconomic development efforts in developing countries.”

The handover ceremony was held at Islamabad Traffic Police Headquarters, with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan representing Pakistan.

Ambassador Inomata said, “Security enhancement is indispensable for successful socioeconomic development in Pakistan, and the Government of Japan remains committed to improving the capabilities of Pakistani law enforcement agencies.”

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Ambassador Inomata also hoped that the NPGA will provide, “A good opportunity for Pakistani people to realise the positive environmental effects brought about by hybrid vehicles.”

Nisar reiterated the government’s sincere gratitude for Japan’s continued commitment to socioeconomic development in Pakistan.

Why hybrids?

Hybrid vehicles use less fuel and emit less greenhouse emissions as compared to conventional vehicles. The hybrid police cars will not only to enable the police to reduce daily fuel costs, but also to help address increasing environmental challenges.

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The vehicles are widely used by Japanese police, government entities and public transport, while also gaining popularity among the public.

Japanese security aid

In the last decade, the Government of Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has provided training opportunities to around 45 Pakistani police officers in areas such as forensic science, drug control and terrorism investigation.

In addition, Japan has also previously agreed to install scanning devices at three international airports and two international seaports in Pakistan, all of which are currently under way.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2015.

COMMENTS (24)

touseef | 8 years ago | Reply same should be provided to karachi and lahore for better law and order, clean environment as well.

Umar Nazir | 8 years ago | Reply The great Japan gifts 123 hybrid cars to aid police patrols.

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singh | 8 years ago | Reply by accepting this pity donation lower the prestige and reputation of nation infront of world, who proclaimed to be regional power

Kabootar Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Gutgoo...gutgoo...vroom vrooom!!!!!...thank you for the cars Raheel shareef!!!!

ABDUL BASIT SUHAIL | 8 years ago | Reply WE THANK JAPAN FOR DONATION OF 123-CARS-- AND FOR CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH PAKISTAN

Less | 8 years ago | Reply I like statements like "Japan should more of this and more of that", "they are dumping old model cars on us", "they have more money and so should do more for us". Let's forget the sense of entitlement and greed and focus on the core- someone offered a gift, it's for us to say yes or no. Sounds like we said yes and so the cars are here. Be happy.

abc | 8 years ago | Reply Hahahaha and how will those cars will be charged???

ShRkhn | 8 years ago | Reply Oh, Now I kno! Someone must have told him(Ch Nsaar): He look like Sharukh Khan, after dying his hair Jet Black, lol! Also... Thank you, JAPAN! You're a Great Nation. Your friendship gesture will be remembered!

Anonymous | 8 years ago | Reply A bribe to stop new auto policy. Toyota and other Japanese auto manufactures have been ripping Pakistani public for years. Vitz (used) is sold in Japan for 3 lacks Pakistani Rupee while we get Pakistani made Mehran (used) for 5 lacks. We want freedom from Japanese car manufactures.

Timorlane | 8 years ago | Reply Will eventually end up being stolen / sold / personally used by the "concerned officials and politicians".

Ahmed | 8 years ago | Reply To prevent the misuse of official cars, the Japanese should gift soft top jeeps with no air conditioning.

Boxer Bhai | 8 years ago | Reply @Arsalan: You are an ignorant nut. Locally produced 1.3L does a max of 12-13km/L whereas new prius does 18+. Or are you not 18+ lol.

Haroon | 8 years ago | Reply A good gesture by Japan. There should be more cooperation between the two countries in fields of auto-tech, industrial automation etc. These vehicles i presume are being used by Islamabad Traffic Police. They are rarely used in motorcades, if used, its either of President, PM, CJP. Toyota Prius is now a well reputed vehicle here, and is among the most reliable and highly fuel efficient.

cautious | 8 years ago | Reply @Arslan:

Let’s clear out on point; the car in discussion Toyota Prius DOES NOT use less fuel. A 1.3L local manufactured Corolla use lesser fuel then a hybrid Prius.

Not sure about Pakistan but elsewhere Prius gets 51 mpg vs std Corolla which gets around 30 mpg. Also - Prius is a popular/dependable car that has been used extensively in USA and elsewhere for a LONG time. Maybe you should just say "thank you" rather than try and bash the donor?

Hassan Hayat | 8 years ago | Reply We provide kids with toys knowing that they'll break them into pieces. In the start a kid only learns to break them not behave like a mature one. A grown up person also behaves like a kid when he/she is given something new about which he/she knows nothing. Police-personals have never been given any such, i would say, facilities to meet with their obligations and duties. This step will be productive, be optimistic.

tellmore | 8 years ago | Reply Japan has given very much less and nothing when compared to the gifts given by Saudi King as well as by China. Pakistan should have presented their requirements more effectively so that much more could have been got from Japanese. They have more money and can give more to Pakistan.

Mrs HighBall | 8 years ago | Reply @Thugu: Or maybe Mr SP uses his new found wheels on a little outing to Murree with family (off the record, of course !).

Arslan | 8 years ago | Reply Let's clear out on point; the car in discussion Toyota Prius DOES NOT use less fuel. A 1.3L local manufactured Corolla use lesser fuel then a hybrid Prius. That is a fact. Secondly these cars will end up on drive ways of SHOs, CPOs etc or on VIP duty some policeman or policeman or a judge or in personal use of the "begum, bachay". Even if some of them end up on patrol duty etc they will not be road worthy after a while because we all know how recklessly government vehicles especially police vehicles are used. Without proper maintenance (the cost is much higher then standard car) these cars will be pile of junk in less then a year. This how our country and its resources are being used for decades. Also just giving Prius to police will not make them efficient and productive overnight.

Vaqas | 8 years ago | Reply @ehs: Although i agree with you on the need for safety features, both of you complaints apply to the local authorities, not Japanese manufacturers. Pakistan doesnt require the safety features you refer to, so locally manufactured cars dont have them. Second, they are not 'dumping' cars becuase the cars are locally made. If local consumers really demanded change, the manufacturers would follow. Their production lines can easily be modified. But all of the cars you mention are sales leaders, so obviously the masses and the state dont care about introducing modern cars.

SNKN | 8 years ago | Reply Thank you Japan for supporting Pakistan Police and our Security apparatus.

Rumormonger | 8 years ago | Reply Longer motorcades of VIPs now? Less pollution from them though.

Thugu | 8 years ago | Reply These hybrid patrolling cars will be assigned to security convoys of VVIPs or even land in the garages of some politicians or bureaucrats.

Confused | 8 years ago | Reply We must respect Japanese Tax Payers' hard earned money, if we can't generate our own. Track record of our police departments in properly using their vehicles and maintaining them is abysmal, isn't it?

ehs | 8 years ago | Reply The Land of Rising sun (Japan) only keeps the government happy not the consumers who purchase cars. The land of rising sun should also show some decency and stop dumping 1970s/1980s era globally retired vehicles like the Mehran, Bolan, Ravi, and Cultus in Pakistan. Even Paksuzuki's swift has been globally retired for over 5 years. The land of rising dominated auto industry in Pakistan does not provide necessary safety features to consumers

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