Pakistan and Japan have solidified their partnership in education with a new grant agreement totaling JPY 379 million (US$ 2.63 million) to support the Human Resource Development Scholarship Program (JDS) for 2025.
The agreement was formalized at the Ministry of Economic Affairs on July 15, 2025. Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, executed the Record of Discussions and Exchange of Notes. Miran Mohiyuddin Somroo, Senior Joint Secretary from the Ministry, and Mr. Naoaki Miyata, Chief Representative of JICA Pakistan, signed the grant agreement.
This marks the eighth installment of the JDS project since its launch in 2018. The funding will finance sixteen master”s degree scholarships and one doctoral scholarship at leading Japanese universities for young federal civil service and ex-cadre officers from Pakistan.
Since its inception, the JDS program has supported seven cohorts, each with approximately eighteen participants, improving the abilities and effectiveness of young officers contributing to Pakistan”s socio-economic advancement. Japan also regularly offers short-term training programs in Japan for Pakistani government officials.
Dr. Niaz expressed his appreciation to the Japanese government and its people for their continued assistance and pledged support for enhanced collaboration. Ambassador Shuichi and Miyata reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening the bilateral relationship and cooperation with the Pakistani government.