TOKYO: Japan signed an agreement to grant Pakistan $3.45 million to support monitoring its borders from the “increasing risk of persons, including terrorists involved in serious crimes and human trafficking across the Pakistani national borders.”
A statement issued by the foreign ministry in Tokyo on Wednesday said the grant agreement was signed on Feb. 16 in Islamabad by Japan’s ambassador to Pakistan Mitsuhiro Wada and director of the Pakistan Office of the International Organization for Migration Mio Sato.
Japan's ambassador to Pakistan Mitsuhiro Wada and director of the Pakistan Office of the International Organization for Migration Mio Sato excahnge notes on the grand aid. (Photo courtesy: MOFA)
According to the statement, the Pakistani border control has become “at risk due to the lack of equipment, capabilities and information necessary for the border control authorities in the face of the recent unrest in Afghanistan.” The statement added that improving Pakistan’s ability to monitor its borders would contribute to the stability of the country and the region.
The grant will provide the necessary funding for border control facilities and equipment at major international airports and border points in Pakistan and training to develop the capacity of the staff there.
The ministry did not specify the “terrorists” mentioned in the statement and whether they crossed the borders from Afghanistan to Pakistan or vice versa.
