Islamabad, 11 August 2026(Kamran Raja): The Government of Japan has extended grant aid worth 350 million Japanese Yen to Pakistan for the implementation of the Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) Programme for Fiscal Year 2026, aimed at strengthening the professional and administrative capacities of Pakistani government officials.
The grant was formalized during a signing ceremony held in Islamabad, where Notes Verbale were signed and exchanged between Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan H.E. Mr. AKAMATSU Shuichi and Mr. Muhammad Humair Karim Kidwai, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Government of Pakistan.
Separately, a Grant Agreement detailing the implementation of the FY2026 project was signed by Mr. SHINOZAKI Yusuke, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Pakistan Office, and Mr. Miran Mohiyuddin Soomro, Senior Joint Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Launched in Pakistan in 2018, the JDS Programme is part of Japan’s continued efforts to support institutional development and strengthen the administrative capabilities of the Government of Pakistan.
Under the programme, highly qualified Pakistani government officials are provided opportunities to pursue Master’s and Ph.D. degrees at leading universities in Japan. The selected officials are generally engaged in the formulation and implementation of social and economic development policies, enabling them to apply their advanced knowledge and expertise upon returning to Pakistan.
Beyond academic and professional development, the JDS Programme is designed to promote mutual understanding and deepen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Japan and Pakistan. By developing future leaders with direct academic and cultural experience in Japan, the programme seeks to create lasting human connections and strengthen people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Since the programme’s inception, JICA has dispatched more than 100 Pakistani government officials to Japan, while more than 80 scholars have successfully completed their studies and returned to Pakistan. These alumni are now contributing their enhanced knowledge, skills and international experience to Pakistan’s development and public administration.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador AKAMATSU Shuichi emphasized that human resource development remains one of the most sustainable forms of investment in a country’s future.
“At its core, this program is built on a simple but powerful belief — that investing in people is the most sustainable investment a nation can make.”
He said that supporting Pakistani civil servants to pursue Master’s and doctoral studies at leading Japanese universities goes beyond providing academic qualifications, as it helps prepare future leaders equipped with new knowledge, perspectives and a deeper understanding of Japan.
The Ambassador highlighted that scholars returning to Pakistan bring not only professional expertise but also greater understanding of Japanese society, culture and values.
He further noted that these scholars serve as human bridges between Japan and Pakistan, contributing to the continuation and strengthening of the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
“Japan deeply values its relationship with Pakistan, and the JDS Program is one of the most personal and enduring ways we invest in that relationship,” the Ambassador said.
Mr. SHINOZAKI Yusuke, Chief Representative of JICA Pakistan Office, expressed hope that Japan’s cooperation through the JDS Programme would contribute to strengthening the institutional capacity of the Government of Pakistan and support the country’s sustainable development.
He said the third phase of the JDS Programme would continue efforts to enhance the capacities of Pakistani government officials while further deepening the longstanding partnership between Japan and Pakistan.
Mr. Shinozaki also highlighted the programme’s contribution to JICA’s country assistance priorities, particularly the objective of promoting balanced and stable regional development through human resource development.
The continuation of the JDS Programme reflects Japan’s broader commitment to supporting Pakistan’s institutional and human capital development. By investing in government officials involved in policymaking and public administration, the initiative seeks to strengthen the expertise required to address complex social and economic challenges.
The programme also provides an important platform for closer academic, professional and cultural exchanges between Pakistan and Japan. Pakistani scholars studying in Japan gain exposure to advanced research, institutional practices and international perspectives that can subsequently contribute to policymaking and public-sector development in Pakistan.
The latest grant agreement is therefore expected to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in the field of human resource development while creating additional opportunities for Pakistani government officials to benefit from higher education and professional training in Japan.
The JDS Programme stands as an important component of Japan-Pakistan cooperation, combining capacity building with people-to-people diplomacy and reinforcing the enduring partnership between the two countries.