PESHAWAR, Aug 16: The outgoing Ambassador of Japan, Minoru Shibuya, has assured the Frontier government that Japan would continue to play a major role as a development partner to improve infrastructure in the province.

Japan was contemplating to help out the Frontier government in providing improved social services and it would also look into the possibility of contributing into the construction of Bannu Ghulam Khan road that would open up a new vistas of development and economic activity, Mr Shibuya said during a meeting with Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani here on Monday.

The chief minister appreciated the Japanese government's assistance to the NWFP, saying Mr Shibuya played a dominant role in restoring Pakistan's assistance in the aftermath of 9/11 episodes.

Mr Durrani said that the Kohat tunnel, Indus Highway and other projects initiated with the help of Japanese government spoke volume of Japan's sincere engagement in the development of the region.

The chief minister asked the Japan government to contribute actively in education, poverty reduction, road infrastructure and improved services so that the hapless people of the Frontier province could enter the mainstream of development.

Earlier, Mr Minaru Shibuya also called on Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain and exchanged views with him on matters of mutual interest. A $2.5million Japan assistance for improvement of school sector in Fata also came under discussion during the meeting.