Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Dr Shahid Amjad Chaudhry said Pakistan has never defaulted on an international obligation since 1947 and will never default in the future. During a meeting with Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Hiroshi Oe, who called on him on Friday, he said Pakistan’s economy is strong enough to meet its international obligations. He said Japan is a very special country for Pakistan and its contribution to Pakistan’s development is fully acknowledged. Pakistan and Japan should remain engaged continuously to further consolidate economic ties, the adviser said. Dr Shahid praised Japan for extending funds for projects like Karachi Circular Railways, Thar coal Project and Lahore water project, declaring them as pearls of Pakistan-Japan friendship. He emphasised that exchange of academia between Pakistan and Japan should also be promoted to further strengthen relations between the two countries. Scholars in Japan working on Pakistan should also be extended financial help by Japan the adviser added. The ambassador said Japan is quite optimistic over the economic situation in Pakistan. He said despite financial constraints in Japan, the government of Japan will continue to assist and invest in Pakistan, adding that contribution in infrastructure development in Pakistan is major priority of Japan. To overcome the energy crisis in Pakistan, Japan will assist Pakistan in short, medium and long term projects, he said. Japan is taking a keen interest in overcoming the energy crisis in Pakistan, the ambassador added. He said Japan wants to eradicate polio from Pakistan and is already involved in the polio eradication campaign.
