ISLAMABAD, 03 August, 2026 (Kamran Raja): President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr. Tanaka Akihiko, is visiting Pakistan from August 1 to 5, marking both his first official visit to the country and the first visit by a JICA President since 2020. The visit underscores Japan’s continued commitment to supporting Pakistan’s sustainable development and strengthening bilateral cooperation. During his stay, Dr. Tanaka is scheduled to visit JICA-supported development projects and hold meetings with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Chief Minister of Punjab, and senior government officials to discuss ongoing and future areas of collaboration.

As the implementing agency for Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), JICA has partnered with Pakistan for more than seven decades, supporting key sectors including education, healthcare, disaster risk management, gender equality, governance, private sector development, and infrastructure such as roads, transport, and power. A major highlight of the visit is Dr. Tanaka’s tour of the Faisalabad Water Supply Improvement Project, one of Japan’s flagship urban infrastructure initiatives in Pakistan. The project aims to improve access to safe drinking water for the rapidly growing population of Faisalabad, Pakistan’s third-largest city. Between 2016 and 2019, JICA supported the preparation of the Faisalabad Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Master Plan, which provides a long-term roadmap for sustainable water services through 2038. Building on this plan, JICA extended a grant of JPY 4.094 billion to modernize the city’s water treatment and distribution infrastructure.

Under the project, the Old Jhal Khanuana Water Treatment Plant was constructed with a treatment capacity of 5 million gallons per day, alongside improvements to transmission and distribution networks.  Since becoming operational in April 2025, the facility has significantly enhanced access to clean and safe drinking water for residents of Faisalabad.During his visit, Dr. Tanaka will inspect the Old Jhal Khanuana Water Treatment Plant, which is being considered for future expansion through a possible Japanese ODA loan. He will also review digitally upgraded transmission and distribution facilities and interact with beneficiary households to observe the project’s direct impact on local communities.

JICA believes that the Faisalabad project represents a successful model for sustainable urban water management that could be replicated in other cities across Pakistan.Reaffirming its long-term partnership with Pakistan, JICA said it remains committed to working closely with the Government of Pakistan and relevant stakeholders through Japanese Official Development Assistance to improve public services, enhance quality of life, and further strengthen the enduring friendship between Japan and Pakistan.