* Shahbaz identifies provision of better health facilities as top priority* Says security, economic problems biggest issues facing country
* Chihiro says Japan can benefit from investment in Pakistan
Staff Report
LAHORE: Japan has excellent expertise in constucting dams and the Punjab government wants to seek their help to construct the Khanki Dam, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif told Japanese Ambassador Chihiro Atsumi on Tuesday.
Shahbaz informed the guest of his priorities regarding the elimination of poverty, provision of health and education and various other basic facilities.
Relations: He said that the ties between Japan and Pakistan spanned over many decades, adding that Japan had always helped Pakistan with provision of financial and technical assistance. He said that the Punjab government would welcome any delegation sent by Japan to explore the possibility of co-operation between the two countries. He said that construction of small dams and water reservoirs for the promotion of agriculture was of immense importance, adding that Punjab could greatly benefit from Japanese skills in this sector.
He said that Japan could also help in the improvement of the sewerage system, solid waste management and Lahore Rail Mass Transit project for the provision of better transport facilities. He said that there were also opportunities for the installation of hydroelectric power plants under public and private partnerships. He said that he had visited Japan a long time ago as a businessman and was deeply impressed with the skills possessed by the Japanese nation. He said that his top priority was the provision of better health facilities to the people, adding that revolutionary measures had been taken in this sector. He said that Japan could extend co-operation in the provision of health, education and transport facilities.
He said that Pakistan was facing several challenges, of which security and economic problems were the most difficult to handle. He said that the country had always condemned terrorism and extremism and was itself a victim of this menace. He said that the country maintained a clear stance on eradication of terrorism, adding that the government would always give preference to the option of dialogue over the use of force. He said that the removal of deprivations, economic disparities, provision of prompt justice, health and education facilities, improvement of infrastructure and good governance were essential for this.
Ambassador: Chihiro said that Pakistan was a trustworthy friend of Japan and Japan was keen to further strengthen ties with the country. He said that the Japanese company, JICA, was playing an important role in providing the water supply and drainage, irrigation and economic activities in Punjab. He said that Pakistan had vast opportunities of investment and Japan would further promote mutual relations with the country to benefit from these opportunities as well as to continue its co-operation in various sectors. He said that bilateral relations between the two countries were improving with the passage of time
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