Islamabad, 3 August 2022 (TDI): The Government of Japan will provide grant assistance worth 1,236 million Japanese Yen for modernizing the mechanical system for sewage and drainage services in Multan.
A signing ceremony for the aid was held at the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Islamabad on August 3, 2022, in the presence of the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, HONDA Taro, who was in Pakistan for a visit.
The Japanese Ambassador, WADA Mitsuhiro, the Chief Representative of JICA, KINOSHITA Yasumitsu, the Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Mian Asad Hayaud Din, and other officials from both sides were present at the occasion.
Due to persistent sewer obstruction, Multan City has experienced regular flooding of its urban roads, leading to traffic closures and sanitation issues.
It has been challenging to adequately respond to citizens’ requests for preventing sewer clogging, even though the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) Multan has been working on the issue.
It has continued to improve its sewerage services by repairing its outdated equipment for cleaning sewer pipes and moving reusable equipment to where it is most needed.
By modernizing the sewage machinery, such as cleaning tools and drainage pumps, this grant project will successfully maintain the sewer pipes and channels.
Moreover, it will also address the aforementioned problems. This will contribute to the region’s sustainable sanitation and aid to improve sewage services.
During the ceremony, HONDA Taro stated, “I am delighted to be able to visit Pakistan on the unique occasion of the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan.
I will make every effort to strengthen the friendship between the two countries through continuous development cooperation, especially in the sectors such as water supply and sewage, disaster prevention, health, and education, as well as by promoting people-to-people exchanges and expanding trade and investment.”
The Government of Pakistan’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, extended his gratitude to the Government of Japan for its kind assistance.
Especially in light of the country’s long history of excellent and wide development cooperation. Moreover, Japan has contributed $11.7 billion in development aid to Pakistan since 1954.
