Chairman Senate Farooq H Naek while appreciating Japanese assistance for important sectors of socio-economic development of Pakistan, said that the focus was on economic co-operation to help address current economic difficulties and promote greater trade and investment linkages between the two countries.
"We seek mutually beneficial ties particularly in economic sphere through joint ventures, project co-operation and public-private partnership. We need to provide substance to bilateral economic and trade relations and hope that two friendly countries may further enhance trade, which is far below then their potential."
He expressed these views while talking to the Japanese Parliamentary delegation led by Yasutoshi Nishimura and Dr Hirobumi Niki, Members of the House of Representatives of Japan here at the Parliament House. The chairman also appreciated the Japanese Government's soft loan of $65 million to Pakistan for the eradication of polio in Pakistan. While appreciating Japanese support for social development project in the tribal areas, Naek said that this would be highly beneficial to eradicate extremism and terrorism in the areas.
"There is also need to enhance exchange of parliamentary delegations between the two countries to promote people-to-people contacts. Such visits will help promote greater co-operation between the two Parliaments," he said. The Chairman expressed grief and sympathies for the victims of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan. He hoped that the resilient people of Japan would successfully overcome these difficulties and crises.
While reciprocating the sentiments, Yasutoshi Nishimura and Dr Hirobumi Niki thanked the chairman Senate for receiving them at the Parliament House and expressed the confidence that the friendly relations between Pakistan and Japan would further strengthen with the passage of time. They assured that they would make all-out efforts to further consolidate the existing friendly relations between the two countries.
Matters regarding the eradication of polio from Pakistan particularly from FATA also came under discussion. The meeting was also attended by Secretary Senate, Raja Muhammad Amin and Special Secretary, Iftikhar Ullah Babar. Meanwhile, Japan decided to extend financial assistance of $65 million to Government of Pakistan for Polio eradication.
"Pakistan is fully committed to eradicate polio from the country and support from international community in this regard would supplement its efforts. Japanese support for an extensive polio immunisation and eradication initiative in the country against the crippling disease would help a lot in completely wiping out polio from the country," Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi expressed these views while talking to 9-members Japanese Polio Eradication Parliamentary league headed by Yasutoshi Nisimura, Member House of Representative who called on him in Parliament House on Wednesday.
Yasutoshi Nisimura informed the Deputy Speaker that government of Japan has decided to extend financial assistance of $65 million to Government of Pakistan for Polio eradication. He said that this assistance will be utilised to procure polio vaccine and for the remuneration to vaccinators. He said that Pakistan was playing an important role for peace and prosperity in the region and appreciated Pakistan's role in promoting peace in the region, curbing terrorism and extremism. He also assured the Deputy Speaker of Japanese support and assistance for flood affected people and development projects in Pakistan.