ISLAMABAD: The Japanese government will provide $9 million to Pakistan for upgrading the mechanical system for sewerage and drainage services in Multan.

An agreement to this effect was signed here on Wednesday.

Ambassador of Japan Wada Mitsuhiro and Economic Affairs Division Secretary Mian Asad Hayaud Din signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries in the presence of visiting Parliamentary Vice-Minis­ter for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Honda Taro.

Minister for Economic Affairs Sar­dar Ayaz Sadiq and Chief Repre­sen­ta­tive of Japan International Coope­ra­t­ion Agency (Jica) Kinoshita Yasumitsu also attended the signing ceremony.

The project will address urban flooding issues in Multan by upgrading the sewerage equipment, such as cleaning equipment and drainage pumps, to effectively maintain the sewer pipes and channels. This will help improve sewerage services and contribute to sustainable sanitation in the region.

Multan has faced constant flooding of roads in urban areas due to frequent sewer clogging, causing road closures and sanitary problems.

At the signing ceremony, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Honda pledged to make every effort to strengthen the friendship between the two countries by continuous development cooperation, especially in the sectors such as water supply and sewage, disaster prevention, health, and education, as well as by promoting people-to-people exchanges and expanding trade and investment.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2022