Islamabad : Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to unlocking Pakistan’s mineral wealth, welcoming the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) technical support as a valuable contribution to the sector’s development.
The prime minister expressed these views during a meeting with a nine-member JICA delegation led by the agency’s President, Dr Tanaka Akihiko, at the Prime Minister’s House.
Highlighting the longstanding friendship between Pakistan and Japan, PM Shehbaz said the two countries have enjoyed strong and productive relations for more than 70 years. He expressed confidence that Dr Tanaka’s visit would further strengthen bilateral cooperation and open new avenues for partnership.
The premier said Pakistan had overcome significant economic challenges through coordinated national efforts and was now pursuing comprehensive structural reforms to ensure sustainable economic growth and long-term financial stability.
He noted that the country’s tax revenues had doubled over the past three years, describing the achievement as evidence of the government’s reform-driven economic policies.
Shehbaz Sharif said the government remains focused on preparing young people for future opportunities through modern education and skills training, expanding technical and vocational programmes, generating quality employment and promoting women’s economic participation.
Speaking about the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), the prime minister said the organisation had been restructured into a more effective institution capable of supporting entrepreneurs and boosting the growth of small and medium-sized businesses.
He added that closer collaboration between JICA and SMEDA would help strengthen the SME sector and enhance Pakistan’s export capacity.
During the meeting, the prime minister also conveyed his condolences to Dr Tanaka over the recent earthquake in Japan that claimed many lives.
Dr Tanaka thanked PM Shehbaz for his message of sympathy and praised the longstanding partnership between Pakistan and JICA. He said the agency intends to expand cooperation with Pakistan in key sectors, including healthcare, education, urban and rural development, technical and vocational training, and industrial development.
The JICA president added that the agency’s future initiatives would be aligned with the priorities identified by Pakistan’s federal and provincial governments to maximise development outcomes.
He also acknowledged Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting peace in the Middle East, saying Japan and the broader international community recognise and appreciate Islamabad’s diplomatic efforts in the region.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Ahad Khan Cheema, Dr Musadik Masood Malik, Hanif Abbasi, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari and Shaza Fatima Khawaja, along with Special Assistants to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi and Haroon Akhtar, as well as senior government officials.
