TOKYO, Sept 22: Japan will provide $200 million to Pakistan till next year as second part of the $300 million pledged last year.

Director of Japanese foreign affairs ministry’s southwest Asia division, Takio Yamada, told APP that his country had already provided $100 million to Pakistan.

Japan has also decided to provide soft loan of billions of Yens for the completion of third phase of Kohat Tunnel. The loan would have a 10-year grace period with nominal interest rate and it would be paid in 30 to 35 years.

He said Japan had provided soft loan for the first and second phase of the tunnel. The first phase had been completed and the second was in progress, he said.

He recalled that President Gen Pervez Musharraf had visited Japan this year on invitation the prime minister.

He said Japan wanted to assist the government for initiating projects to eradicate poverty.

The government of Japan promised to give $300 million to Pakistan in two years as part of financial assistance for poverty eradication programme.

The official said the countries were celebrating 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations.

He said that after the visit of Pervez Musharraf, a parliamentary delegation headed by a leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, Mitsuo Horiuchi, visited Pakistan. The exchange of delegations would continue, he said.

He said Japan was concerned over the tense situation between Pakistan and India. He called for de-escalation of deployment on the borders.

Japanese prime minister had also discussed process of restoration of democracy with the president, he said.

About offer by the president to India for resuming dialogue, he said: “We respect this offer and spirit and want early resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan, especially to end the tension between the neighbours having nuclear devices.”

Japanese prime minister had also met the Indian prime minister and asked both the leaders to resume meaningful talks for bringing peace in the region.

He said Japan was concerned over proliferation in South Asia and wanted that Pakistan and India should sign the CTBT for ensuring peace.—APP