Pakistan, Japan ink $2.2mn grant agreement

The Government of Pakistan and Japan have signed a grant agreement worth JPY 350 million ($2.2 million) to bolster the Human Resource Development Scholarship Program (JDS) 2026.

In a ceremonial exchange of notes and signing ceremony convened at the Ministry of Economic Affairs on August 11, 2026, Muhammad Humair Karim, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and H.E. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Pakistan, signed the Record of Discussions & Exchange of Notes.

Miran Mohiyuddin Soomro, Senior Joint Secretary representing the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Yusuke Shinozaki, Chief Representative of JICA Pakistan, signed the grant agreement.

The ceremony was also attended by senior officials from the Embassy of Japan, JICA and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Japan, through JICA, has extended this generous grant to Pakistan, marking the 9th instalment of the JDS project since its inception in 2018. This year, the grant will provide sixteen (16) scholarships for Masters’ program and one (1) for PhD/Doctorate programs at prestigious universities in Japan for young Federal Civil Service and Ex-Cadre officers of Pakistan.

Since 2018, eight batches, each comprising around 17-18 participants, have benefited from the JDS scholarships.

This initiative has significantly enhanced the capacity and performance of young officers who play a crucial role in the socio-economic development of Pakistan. Additionally, Japan frequently invites Pakistani government officials to participate in various short-term training courses in Japan.

H.E. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Pakistan and Yusuke Shinozaki, JICA Chief, assured of their commitment to work closely with the Government of Pakistan to further strengthen the friendly ties and bilateral cooperation.