ISLAMABAD: The Japanese government has provided security equipment worth $20 million to three major international airports of the country.

Documents related to the equipment for the airports of Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi were handed over to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) at a ceremony held at Benazir Bhutto International Airport on Tuesday.

Ambassador of Japan Takashi Kurai handed over the list of security equipment to CAA Director General Pakistan retired Air Marshal Asim Suleiman. Secretary Aviation Mohammad Ifran was also present.

The equipment consisted of explosive detection systems, vehicle scanners and cargo vehicle scanners.

Yasuhiro Tojo, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in his statement said: “Balanced and stable regional development by supporting security enhancement is one of the priority areas of JICA rolling plan and country assistance policy for Pakistan.”

Ambassador Kurai said: “Security enhancement is indispensable for successful socio-economic development of Pakistan and the government of Japan remains committed to supporting Pakistan in this field.”

The equipment embraces the latest technology matching the international security standards set by the United States, the European Union and International Civil Aviation Organisation. It is expected that not only the risk of security related incidents at the three airports will be reduced but also it will contribute to the improvement of operation of the airports.

Ambassador Kurai added: “It is a great pleasure for me to mention that with the help of Japan international flights departing from Pakistan will gain more credibility and the passengers would also feel more comfortable and safe while traveling to different destinations via these airports.”

In addition to this project, Japan has been assisting Pakistan by implementing various projects in the field of security.

On July 4, the Japanese government agreed to extend a grant aid worth 200 million Japanese Yen, equivalent to around Rs205 million, under which a Japan Technology Face Recognition System will be installed at the Karachi International Airport.

The project to provide the security equipment to Karachi and Bin Qasim International Ports is now in progress, which includes container scanners. Moreover, in collaboration with UNODC Pakistan, Japan has started a four-year project to strengthen border management and illegal drug control from May this year.

Published in Dawn September 7th, 2016