4 The Japan Times Thursday, August 14, 2014 independence day Ambassador reflects on bilateral relationship

On the occasion of Pakistan In- Also, a group of Pakistani dependence day, The Japan children visited Japan for two Times had the opportunity to weeks last August. They went interview Pakistan Ambassa- to places such as the Diet, the dor to Japan Farukh amil to Miraikan (National Museum of hear his views on the bilateral Emerging Science and Innova- relationship and other issues. tion), spent a day at a Japanese Excerpts of the interview school with schoolchildren in follow. Minato Ward, amongst many other activities. First of all, let me congratu- We have a very clear focus on late you on the 68th Indepen- education because young peo- dence Day of Pakistan. ple represent the future. We Pakistan’s Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Thank you very much. On Pakistani Ambassador Farukh would like to carry out as many Prime Minister of Pakistan Ahsan Iqbal (right) meets with Midori Matsushima, state this auspicious occasion, I Amil speaks during a recent similar programs as possible. President of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz minister for economy, trade and investment in Tokyo during his would like to express on behalf interview with The Japan We try to encourage as many Sharif visit to Japan from Dec. 3 to 7. embassy of pakistan of the government of Pakistan, Times. embassy of pakistan youth as we can to visit Japan, The founder of Pakistan myself and my compatriots in which has a beautiful culture Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad not be friends with such a jodaro from 2,600 B.C. wide variety of music and sheep, goats and chickens in Japan our respectful and sin- visited Japan in early Decem- and the people are peaceful, Ali Jinnah country? Upcountry, we have great other entertainment. Pakistan and nutritious buf- cere greetings to Their Impe- ber to discuss energy, infra- law-abiding citizens. young agricultural flatlands in the falo milk is a growing business. rial Majesties Emperor Akihito structure and human resource people not only from Pakistan, was only 4 years old and our There is the Pakistan-Japan Punjab region. Whilst in the Do you recommend Japanese What would be your message and Empress Michiko, mem- development. The minister but all over the world should foreign minister said that “Jap- Friendship Tunnel in Kohat, North, we have beautiful companies directly invest in to Japanese people? What bers of the Imperial family, H.E had 33 meetings in 3 days, un- see how the Japanese live. a anese people need to be treat- northern Pakistan. Its name, mountains. Pakistan is home Pakistan? What business would you say Pakistan can Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the derscoring the importance group of 75 students, ranging ed with dignity and respect.” which recognizes the major to 9 of the world’s 20 highest fields do Japanese companies offer Japanese people? government and friendly peo- Pakistan attaches to its ties from elementary school to uni- This is really the cornerstone contribution by JICA in the mountains, the tallest of which have the best chances in? Please come see our people, ple of Japan. with Japan. Regarding human versity, visited Japan under the of our friendship. When you construction of the tunnel, is is K2. We currently have 76 Japa- experience the country and resource development, I hope Abe’s program for youth ex- treat someone with dignity and proof of Pakistani friendship The weather in the far North nese companies operating in enjoy our rich culture, beauti- What are the recent develop- to see more exchanges among change, Jenesys 2.0. respect, you have the base to toward Japan. Why was the is extremely cold with many Pakistan. They are in all kinds ful nature and great food, ments in Pakistan-Japan ex- the youth of both Pakistan and Equally, it’s also important any solution for even the hard- name chosen? glaciers. Pakistan is not only of sectors, including trading, which includes delicious fruit changes in politics, business Japan, including university for Japanese young people to est times, such as the 2010 Pak- It was the natural choice and diverse in climate, but also in manufacturing and finance, — Pakistani mangoes are re- and culture? student exchanges and ex- visit Pakistan. We should also istan floods and the 2011 Great whoever came up with the language, ethnicity and cui- with the Bank of Tokyo (the pre- nowned for their sweetness, We had many exchanges panded employment opportu- have more exchanges of aca- East Japan Earthquake and name picked the perfect one sine, with a huge variety of fruit decessor of the Bank of Tokyo- size and taste and the first over the past year. Last sep- nities for young workers. demia and think tanks espe- tsunami. because our countries truly and vegetables. The Almighty Mitsubishi) having been in batch of Pakistani mangoes tember, on the sidelines of a We also have had several ex- cially through formal We respect Japan as a trust- have a solid friendship. Every Allah has blessed Pakistan with Karachi since 1925. Japan also was imported to Japan last year U.N. meeting, the prime min- changes of business delega- mechanisms. I myself have vis- ed partner and the Pakistani time someone passes through wonderful resources. has a dominant presence in and quickly sold out within a isters of both our countries tions and many business ited 23 universities in Japan people will never forget Japan’s the tunnel, they can clearly see Hunza, in Northern Paki- Pakistan’s automobile sector. few days — vegetables, rice, held bilateral talks, in which seminars. The idea behind since February 2013 and I hope assistance during the 2005 our relationship represented stan, has recently become We also have established a wheat and many others. they reaffirmed their close these is to encourage Pakistani we will be able to take Paki- earthquake and the 2010 flood. by our two countries’ flags. known in Japan as the “Last special economic zone for Jap- Also, come and see the busi- friendship. businessmen to start opera- stan’s wonderful story to many U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki- Shangri-La,” because hunza anese companies near Karachi ness opportunities and large Several Japanese dignitaries tions in Japan. Although Japan more during my time here. moon called the 2010 flood a Can you recommend any was introduced as such in the and welcome all kinds of com- human potential. Pakistan is a and politicians visited Paki- is said to be a difficult market slow tsunami, damaging an sightseeing venues in Paki- Japanese film “Sogen no Isu,” panies to enter the Pakistani food-secure nation that is stra- stan, including an April visit by to penetrate, there are many Pakistan and Japan have a area the size of a middle sized stan? (A Chair on the grass). The market. We would especially tegically located at the cross- Deputy Foreign Minister Shin- opportunities in Japan through very close friendship. How country and causing $42 bil- We have so many beautiful 2012 movie tells the story of a like to see companies bring the roads of south, West and suke Sugiyama, who met with business partnerships. In that would you describe it? lion in damage. Japan was in- landscapes and such a variety Japanese man whose life latest technologies in energy, Central Asia. Prime Minister in context, both JICA and JETRO Let me put it this way. At the strumental in providing of climates. The South is per- changed after his travels to infrastructure, fuel-efficient As Japan is a very democrat- Islamabad. also, special ad- have remained traditionally 2013 Karachi Expo trade show, immediate humanitarian aid. petually warm, with the ocean, Hunza, the last Shangri-La. The automobiles and machinery as ic country and Pakistan’s de- viser to the Prime Minister helpful. the largest delegation in terms Japan can be counted on as a beautiful deserts and the larg- cast and crew spent about six they will likely enjoy success in mocracy is growing stronger, I Taro Kimura called on Sharif In terms of cultural exchang- of assets was from Japan, in- friend that always helps with- est juniper forest in the world. weeks filming in Hunza. Pakistan. would like to see more parlia- last August. In the same month, es, we hold the Pakistan-Japan cluding some CEOs of multi- out a hidden agenda. Flowing through the country, Because we are an agricul- Also, there are many pros- mentary exchanges. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Friendship Festival in ueno billion-dollar companies. Pakistan has a very mature Pakistan has five major rivers, tural society, horse and cattle pects in the marine industry. We Pakistan has an abundance for Defense Masahisa Sato vis- Park once a year. This year on Forty-eight delegates came outlook in the sense that Paki- which are like the arteries of life, shows are held all over Paki- have extensive territorial waters of raw materials and excellent ited Pakistan to exchange April 26 and 27, we had main- from Japan. I was pleasantly stan wants to be friends with business and our civilization. stan, the biggest of which is in and Japanese companies could human resources. Also, given views on security with politi- stream singer-songwriters surprised that our joint efforts peace-loving countries. We re- is the cultural capital Lahore. The National Horse & harness these marine resources Pakistan’s history of friendship cians and military officials. from all across Pakistan from bore fruit. spect all countries’ sovereign and as an imperial city, it’s very Cattle Show in Lahore is held in a sustainable way. with Japan, we would like to From Pakistan, the Minister different genres and provinces Our friendship dates back to rights, the u.N. and interna- much like Kyoto. Also, Pakistan in November for five days, and In addition to this, animal have many more people-to- of Planning, development & representing the diversity of the San Francisco Peace Con- tional law. given how Japan has many World Heritage sites, activities include animal races husbandry has a great poten- people exchanges, in aca- Reform professor Ahsan Iqbal our culture. ference in 1951, when Pakistan has treated us, how could we including the ancient Mohen- and performances, as well as a tial. There are millions of cattle, demia, politics and business.

PAGE: 4 The Japan Times Thursday, August 14, 2014 5 Pakistan independence day Support for Improving business climate Teruo Asada tending up to ¥5 billion in report, the outlook for real chairman, Japan-Pakistan credit to Pakistan. GDP growth in Pakistan for stability efforts Business Cooperation The Japan-Pakistan Busi- 2013 to 2014 was adjusted up- Committee ness Cooperation Committee ward from 3.1 percent to 3.3 supports the actions by the percent, while the same figure Seishiro Eto, Sharif has been firmly ad- On behalf of the government of Pakistan to im- for 2014 to 2015 is 4 percent. President, Japan-Pakistan dressing all challenges from Japan-Pakistan prove the business environ- High-quality products from Parliamentarians’ Friendship the beginning of his adminis- Business Coop- ment. Our committee was Pakistan’s domestic industries League tration. The strengthening of eration Com- established in 1984, and it has are also becoming conspicu- democracy, which we strongly mittee, I would organized six “Japan-Pakistan ous, exemplified most recent- On behalf of support, is the whole premise like to extend Joint Business Dialogues” in ly by the fact that the official the Japan-Pak- of any nation’s prosperity. We my sincere and cooperation with our counter- ball for the 2014 FIFA World istan Parlia- wish the prime minister every heartfelt con- part, the Pakistan-Japan Busi- Cup in Brazil was produced in mentarians’ success in his endeavors. gratulations to ness Forum (PJBF). In Pakistan. The Japan-Pakistan F r i e n d s h i p Although the international the people of the Islamic Re- addition, last year we held a Business Cooperation Com- League, I situation is dramatically public of Pakistan on the occa- meeting that was attended by mittee will continue to en- would like to changing, Japan and Pakistan sion of Pakistan’s 68th Pakistan’s Minister for Plan- courage awareness of the extend my have consistently had various Independence Day. ning, Development & Reform, attractiveness of Pakistan’s heartfelt con- exchanges in political, eco- Under the leadership of its H.E. ahsan Iqbal. This year markets with the hope that gratulations to the government nomic, cultural and academic prime minister, Pakistan is saw a successful seminar and economic ties between Paki- and the people of the Islamic areas since the establishment now reforming its electricity business-to-business meet- stan and Japan will become Republic of Pakistan on the of diplomatic ties between our Above, The annual Pakistan- sector by tackling longstanding ings during the visit of the stronger. auspicious occasion of the 68th two countries in 1952. I would Japan Friendship Festival is structural problems, which is PJBF mission to Japan. In In closing, please allow me Independence Day of Pakistan. like to further encourage ex- held in Ueno Park, Tokyo on a positive development for the these and other ways, we con- once again to congratulate the Over one year has passed changes among parliamentar- April 26 and 27. Right, For the business world in general. tinue to endeavor to promote people of Pakistan on the oc- since the former civil admin- ians of our two countries. As first time at the festival, More good news was heard in business between Japan and casion of the country’s Inde- istration completed its five president of the Japan-Paki- internationally well-known June this year, when it was an- Pakistan. pendence Day. year term for the first time in stan Parliamentarians’ Friend- Pakistani artists, including nounced that the government The economy of Pakistan is We look forward to the fur- the history of Pakistan’s con- ship League, I would like to singer-songwriter Zebunnisa of Japan would be involved in mostly viewed in Japan as one ther strengthening of the long- stitutional government and sincerely do my utmost to pro- Bangash (right), participated. cofinancing efforts with the that is growing steadily, with standing bonds of friendship the administration of h.E. mote mutual understanding embassy of pakistan Asian development Bank strong expectations for a and partnership between our Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and cooperative relations be- (ADB) and the World Bank, ex- bright future. In a recent IMF two nations. was inaugurated in June last tween our two countries for the year as the result of a historic future. general election. The sharif I would like to take this op- administration and the Paki- portunity to extend my best Women — Pakistan’s vibrant component of progress stani people have been work- wishes for the continued ing toward the stability and prosperity of Pakistan and Ever since Independence, Pak- Begum Salma Tassadaq among reforms to benefit women passed during the incumbency of policing and piloting. In sci- youth draws encouragement prosperity of the country. As further development of istan has made many strides the long list of equally illustri- through legislation and similar of the Benazir Bhutto-led gov- ence and technology, medi- from Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s a friend of Pakistan, I support friendly relations between courtesy of the intelligent, con- ous names. government measures. The ernment and then different sets cine, information technology inspiring figure. It is the com- all of your efforts. Japan and Pakistan. sistent endeavors of its ele- These women mobilized oth- noteworthy thing about this of laws and schemes launched and many other fields, women mitment of the prime minister’s ments of national power, with ers and made them vocal free- success is that these reforms by the present government. are playing their role with devo- daughter to youth empower- women playing a significant dom activists that conveyed a and laws enacted during the These include the Youth Loan tion and commitment. ment that has inspired the Friendship between two nations role and proving themselves to strong message to the British last 10 to 15 years for women’s Scheme in which women have Even in media, women have younger generation. be ardent contributors toward colonialists that the resolve of empowerment and for raising been given an equal entitle- made their mark, as in newspa- Even the first lady, Kulsoom grows through sports activities national growth, among the the Muslims on the subconti- their living standard and end- ment of 50 percent side-by-side pers and on television, women Nawaz Sharif, the prime minis- other vibrant elements of na- nent could not be defeated be- ing discrimination against with men. Even earlier, women, are actively contributing to so- ter’s wife, is said to be an influ- Antonio Inoki tional power that include our cause of its dynamic and them (especially in rural areas), during the regime preceding ciety with their ideas. ence within the Pakistan Member, House of Councilors academics, politicians, doctors, progressive female component. have not been given to women the gillani government (that If one looks at the political Muslim League-Nawaz ranks. engineers, scientists, journal- This strengthened the freedom on a platter. Pakistani women gave property rights to landless and leadership fronts, the role Above all, reference to pre- I would like to extend my sincere congratu- ists, businessmen, industrial- movement led by the Founder have earned these rights that women), were successful in played by our female politicians 1947 Freedom Movement or of lations to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ists, farmers and laborers. of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Mu- were earlier denied them due earning participation in elected and leaders has proved remark- Pakistan’s journey to progress on the occasion of the country’s Indepen- There is something remark- hammad ali Jinnah and the to the discriminatory attitude of assemblies, giving them a con- able by all national and inter- and stability to date remains in- dence Day on August 14. able about Pakistan’s women. Muslim League leadership. the domination and hegemony siderable say in national affairs. national standards. Mohtarama complete if the effective role of This is an important day that makes us Take any dimension of human It was also an amazing mes- of male members of the society. It is also undeniable that in Benazir Bhutto becoming the women played through all these feel that the Japan-Pakistan friendship is activity and you’ll find a long list sage to the entire outside world These laws that should, in no sector of national activity, first woman in the Islamic phases is not acknowledged. deepening. I will work on further promoting of our women’s accomplish- that had previously held a dif- fact, be described as reforms for have women been lagging be- world to become prime minis- diplomacy with a human touch through ments, starting from the role ferent view of Pakistan before the amelioration of women’s hind their male counterparts. ter was one such leader who This text is an edited excerpt sports activities. played in the Pakistan Move- women’s active participation in conditions, have come in differ- Now the situation is so encour- earned worldwide recognition of an article written by Saif-ur- I feel really privileged to extend my message here on this ment by legendary figures such the freedom movement. ent forms that include the aging that women have taken for her struggle for democracy. Rahman auspicious occasion. as Mohtarama Fatima Jinnah, One of the successes on the Women Empowerment act up even the challenging tasks Currently, the country’s Begum afifa Mamdot and path of women’s progress are

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