- Japan’s Lifeline to Grassroots: Ambassador AKAMATSU Shuichi Signs USD 113,000 Grant to Uplift Pakistani Communities
Islamabad – In a significant demonstration of Japan’s commitment to strengthening grassroots development in Pakistan, His Excellency Mr. AKAMATSU Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, signed grant contracts worth USD 113,335 (approx. PKR 32 million) with two NGOs to support vital community projects in Rawalpindi and Nowshera.
Under the Government of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Program, the financial support will empower ACTED and Kaus-e-Kazah Welfare Organization (KKO) to implement development initiatives in underprivileged areas, aiming to enhance access to clean water and quality education.
Clean Water for Nowshera
ACTED has been granted USD 61,200 (PKR 17.3 million) to rehabilitate a solar-powered water supply system in village Asha Khel, Nowshera. The project will include constructing a water distribution tank and extending pipelines, providing safe, sustainable drinking water to 1,470 residents. The initiative also aims to alleviate the burden on women and children who often travel long distances to fetch water.
A New School for Maskeenabad
KKO will receive USD 52,135 (PKR 14.8 million) to construct a primary school in Maskeenabad, Rawalpindi, offering free education to 300 children annually. The project seeks to increase school enrollment, especially for children from low-income families, creating brighter futures and contributing to long-term community development.
Ambassador AKAMATSU: A Friend of Pakistan’s Grassroots
At the signing ceremony held at the Embassy of Japan in Islamabad, Ambassador AKAMATSU Shuichi emphasized the importance of grassroots cooperation for human development. Meeting with children from Maskeenabad, he remarked:
“Education lays the foundation of a prosperous nation. These children represent the bright future of Pakistan. Japan is proud to stand with the people of Pakistan in their journey toward development.”
Ambassador AKAMATSU also reaffirmed Japan’s long-standing commitment to Pakistan’s social uplift through its Official Development Assistance (ODA):
“Basic infrastructure and education have always been at the heart of Japan’s development philosophy. These projects reflect our own journey and our desire to share it with our valued friends in Pakistan.”
Strengthening Bilateral Ties through Development
The projects mark yet another chapter in the growing friendship between Japan and Pakistan. Through flexible and timely support to local NGOs, Ambassador AKAMATSU Shuichi and the Government of Japan continue to demonstrate a deep, tangible commitment to human security and community empowerment in Pakistan.
BY: The Times Union
