September 27, 2008	Saturday	Ramazan 26, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 26: Japan has pledged $132,826 for improvement of the water environment in Baltistan and Hunza, Northern Areas. The amount will be spent on two water and sewage treatment projects in Doqsa, Skardu, and Giram Altit in Hunza.

A contract in this regard was signed by Japanese ambassador Chihiro Atsumi, and Salman Beg, Chief Executive Officer of Aga Khan Cultural Service here on Friday, said a press release.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Japanese ambassador stressed that the health sector was a priority area in Japan’s development assistance policy. He expressed the hope that the two projects would improve the living standards of the people in Skardu and Giram Altit.

“It will contribute to strengthening the existing relationship between the people of Japan and Pakistan”, the envoy said.

Under the first project a 3.9km pipeline will be laid and a water filtration facility will be set up that will process 8,640 gallons of polluted water per hour making it safe for drinking to the 1,000 inhabitants of Doqsa village.