LAHORE: Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Mitsuhiro Wada on Saturday called on PML-N President Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and discussed promotion of bilateral ties and increasing cooperation in various fields.

“We are determined to further expand excellent relations between Pakistan and Japan,” Nawaz Sharif said and added Japan stood out in the world for its hard work and dedication.

Maryam said Pakistan and Japan were interested in increasing bilateral trade volume.

“Japan’s cooperation with the government of Punjab in improving education, health and civic facilities is commendable.”

She said Punjab had great investment potential in education, health, energy and other sectors. “We are giving a favourable environment and incentives for investment in the province.”

Mitsuhiro Wada said: “We want to further promote relations with Pakistan.”

Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and Special Assistant Rashid Nasrullah were also present in the meeting.

Early in this week, both Nawaz and Maryam held meetings with the US and Chinese ambassadors.

Maryam had described a meeting between Nawaz and a foreign diplomat, saying: “This morning, a foreign ambassador was visiting Nawaz Sharif and I was also present. He talked about the political chaos in Pakistan and asked how he (Nawaz) views it. Nawaz Sharif told him we have grown up in the midst of this turmoil, we have grown politically and even today, this is not something new for us.”

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2024