ISLAMABAD: The Government of Japan has agreed to provide a new grant worth 2.831 billion Japanese Yen (approximately 18.5 million USD or 5.119 billion PKR) to enhance flood management in the Indus Basin.

A formal signing ceremony for the grant took place on 13 November 2024 at the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Islamabad. The event was attended by H.E. Mr. WADA Mitsuhiro, Ambassador of Japan, Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and other officials from both countries.Federal Finance Minister Meets with Japanese Ambassador

In 2022, Pakistan faced its most catastrophic flood in history. In response, the Japanese Government has committed to offering vital support for Pakistan’s recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The grant will be used to build three embankments along the Indus River in Haripur district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and install water and rainfall monitoring equipment at 45 locations across KP and Punjab.

The embankments will help protect local communities from the threat of flooding, safeguarding both lives and economic assets. Additionally, the data collected from the water and rain gauges, managed by FFC and WAPDA, will be shared with various agencies to improve flood prediction and management.

This initiative follows the “Build Back Better” philosophy, a key focus of the Pakistani government.

During the ceremony, H.E. Mr. WADA Mitsuhiro remarked, “I hope this project will reassure the people of Pakistan regarding future flood risks. Japan remains steadfast in its commitment to providing assistance that directly benefits the vulnerable populations in Pakistan.”