ISLAMABAD, June 12: Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) would provide financial and technical assistance to tackle environmental problems in Pakistan particularly to mitigate the affects of climate change, vehicular emissions, deteriorating sanitation conditions, glaciers melting and air pollution.

This was agreed in a meeting between Resident Representative of Jica Takao Kaibara and Federal Minister for Environment Hameedullah Jan Afridi.

The Jica resident chief called on the federal minister at the environment ministry on Thursday. Secretary Ministry of Environment Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi and senior officers were also present on the occasion.

The minister said Pakistan had declared 2009 as the year of environment and comprehensive programmes were being chalked out to create awareness among the masses to address environmental issues.

He said duty on CNG buses had been abolished in the budget to promote healthy environment in the country.

Jica’s resident representative said Japan gave utmost importance to the environment sector and would extend all out assistance to Pakistan for redressing the environmental issues.

The minister appreciated the agency for providing assistance to set up air quality monitoring stations, upgrading EPAs laboratories and providing mobile units for checking industrial emissions. Jica has already provided an amount of Rs580 million out of its commitment of Rs973 million for the project.