Federal Water and Power Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao on Friday said that the Japan government has agreed in principle to enhance co-operation for providing modern infrastructure for water and power sector projects.
The Japanese delegation led by Kimihiro Ishikane, a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan along with the officials of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, JBIC, JICA and the Embassy of Japan held a detailed meeting with the water and power minister here and discussed issues and projects related to water and power sector.
Senior officials of the Water and Power Ministry were also present during the meeting.
Sherpao gave a detailed briefing on water and power policies announced by the Government of Pakistan, especially with reference to mega projects in water sector, power projects, upgradation of transmission lines, village electrification and small hydel projects in Northern Areas.
The minister said, "We are hopeful about the co-operation of the Japanese government, especially in the rehabilitation of old infrastructure in water sector and village electrification."
During the meeting, the Japanese delegation appreciated the policies introduced by the government to meet future challenges of the water and power sector.
Sherpao said, "I have informed the delegation about the priority areas regarding water projects and focus of the government on major mega projects in the water sector."
The government has allocated about 40 percent in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the current fiscal year only for water projects, he said.
The delegation also lauded the efforts made by the government in preparing reforms agenda for the development of the country with reference to Vision-2025, he said.
The minister said that the delegation was given a detailed briefing on mega projects mentioned in the Vision-2025 with reference to construction of dams, conservation of water reservoirs, lining and modelling along with rehabilitation of canals, introduction of modernised irrigation system and drainage management.
He said, "The delegation has shown interest in early warning flood system, village electrification, upgradation of transmission lines and small hydel projects of the country."
He said the delegation also assured to upgrade testing laboratory at Rawat, which was built by the Japanese government's assistance for water and power sector to extend latest technical facilities to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
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