QUETTA: The Deputy Consul General of Japan in Karachi, Yasuharu Shinto, said here on Wednesday that his country wanted to work in various sectors and areas of Balochistan but it depended on the law and order situation which had improved with the passage of time.

Speaking at the inauguration of a three-day Japanese calendars exhibition at the Japan Culture Centre, he said Balochistan’s development was important for his country.

The exhibition has been organised by the Japanese Consulate General in Karachi in collaboration with the Pak-Japan Friendship Society, Quetta. A large number of calendars were on display and admired by students and families that attended the event. Mr Shinto said the exhibition was being held to introduce the people of Balochistan to Japanese culture and art. “Pakistan and Japan enjoy cordial relations and have extended help and coordination to each other whenever needed.” He said the Japanese government had provided equipment to the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences and had also extended help in other sectors.

Diplomat opens calendar exhibition in Quetta

He said several traders from the province were running their businesses in Japan.

The Japanese government had also extended scholarships to students who wanted to pursue higher education in Japan, he added.

Japan’s Honorary Consul General in Quetta Syed Nadeem Shah said further improvement in law and order would bring more financial assistance from the Japanese into Balochistan.

Iranian Deputy Consul General Ebrahim Shafiei, Afghan Deputy Consul General Hafeezuddin Fazli and Jamaat-i-Islami leader Maulana Abdul Haq Hashmi were also present.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2016