Development Cooperation to Pakistan
“The Project for the Installation of Seven Water Filtration Plants in Karachi”

1. On November 3rd, 2011, the inauguration ceremony of a water purification plant of the “Project for  the Installation of Seven Water Filtration Plants in Karachi” was celebrated in S.I.T.E. Town, Karachi, with the attendance of Mr. Masaharu Sato, Consul General of Japan, and Mr. Niamatullah Khan, President of the Al-Khidmat Foundation. The Government of Japan has funded the project under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) scheme.

2. This project aims at providing clean and affordable water for those in seven poverty-stricken areas of Karachi who have the difficulty of accessing to clean and affordable water and, thus, suffer from water-borne diseases and a high cost of safe water in the market. The Government of Japan and Al-Khidmat Foundation signed the grant contract of this US$ 9 million project in July 2010. The water plant in S.I.T.E. Town will benefit some 15000 residents.

3. In the ceremony, Consul General, Mr. Sato appreciated the sincere supportfrom the Pakistani people to Japanese victims in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake. He further referred to the devastating flooding in Pakistan in September and expressed his wish that this project becomes important evidence that the both countries proceed hand in hand in the time of the unprecedented hardship.

4. Japan and Pakistan will celebrate their 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2012. The Consulate General of Japan has been planning various memorial events in order to deepen the understanding and friendship between both countries. Furthermore, the Government of Japan will continuously provide GGP and support to the community-based activities of and for Pakistani people.