ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties in the fields of development, technology, and people-to-people exchanges with Japan.<\/p>\n
\u201cPakistan and Japan enjoy a relationship rooted in decades of trust, mutual respect, and consistent cooperation,\u201d he said while speaking at a reception marking the 66th birthday of Emperor Naruhito of Japan.<\/p>\n
He highlighted Japan\u2019s enduring support for Pakistan and its vital role in the country\u2019s development journey.<\/p>\n
At the outset of the event, Zardari requested the participants to observe one minute of silence in memory of the victims of the recent blast in Tarlai, Islamabad, and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families.<\/p>\n
\u201cJapan is widely admired across the world for its technological achievements and its rich cultural heritage,\u201d he said. \u201cThe Japanese people place great importance on discipline and dignity. They value family and community, and they honour tradition while steadily embracing progress and innovation. These qualities are well understood and appreciated in Pakistan,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The President emphasised that Pakistan placed great importance on its relationship with Japan, describing it as a partnership that had grown steadily over many decades of diplomatic ties.<\/p>\n
\u201cJapan has stood with Pakistan in difficult times,\u201d he said, recalling Japan\u2019s compassionate and practical support during climate-related disasters.<\/p>\n
He said beyond immediate assistance, Japan\u2019s continued engagement in development cooperation and disaster-risk preparedness had been deeply valued and widely felt. \u201cFor this, we are sincerely grateful,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He further said Pakistan looked to Japan as a model of technological excellence and innovation, and seeks to learn from its experience to build skills, strengthen institutions, and prepare its youth for the future.<\/p>\n
As regards economic cooperation, he noted that more than 80 Japanese companies were currently operating in Pakistan, contributing to economic growth, creating employment, and sharing valuable expertise, which reflected Japan\u2019s confidence in Pakistan\u2019s potential.<\/p>\n
Referring to Pakistan\u2019s strategic geographic location at the crossroads of Asia, the President said the country connects trade routes, energy corridors, and regional markets, offering significant opportunities along with shared responsibilities.<\/p>\n
In this context, he appreciated Japan\u2019s longstanding contribution to Pakistan\u2019s development, particularly through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which he described as a respected symbol of sustainable and people-centred progress.<\/p>\n
Extending warm greetings, he conveyed his best wishes to His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress, and wished the people of Japan peace, progress, and continued prosperity.<\/p>\n
The President also congratulated Sanae Takaichi on her landslide victory in elections and recalled Pakistan\u2019s pride in his late wife, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, for being the first female prime minister of the Muslim world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties in the fields of development, technology, and people-to-people exchanges with Japan. \u201cPakistan and Japan enjoy a relationship rooted in decades of trust, mutual respect, and consistent cooperation,\u201d he said while […]<\/p>\n
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