ISLAMABAD, July 19: A group of 30 local government officials, 15 each from the Punjab and Sindh, left for Japan to participate in the Japan-Southwest Asia Youth Friendship Programme for the 21st Century.

The group members will remain in Japan till August 7.

The visit has been organized within the framework of the Japanese technical cooperation scheme for Pakistan with a view to promote youth exchange programmes, fostering the friendly relations between the two countries.

The Punjab local government and rural development secretary, Naguibullah Malik, saw the officials off in a ceremony organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).

On the occasion, the secretary highlighted the efforts of Pakistan government to make the local government system a success.

He said the newly-introduced system was passing through different phases and needed concrete and positive inputs from all the quarters concerned. He hoped that it would start showing results soon and would be beneficial to all the people.—APP