Islamabad: Pakistan and Japan have pledged to enhance their collaboration in the petroleum sector, with a particular focus on geosciences and mineral research. The commitment was made during a visit by the Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Akamatsu Shuichi, to the Geoscience Advance Research Laboratories (GARL) of the Geological Survey of Pakistan, where he was received by Federal Minister for Petroleum, Ali Pervaiz Malik.

According to Press Information Department: The visit underscored the historical scientific cooperation between the two nations, with Minister Malik acknowledging Japan’s vital support through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in establishing and bolstering GARL. He emphasized Pakistan’s efforts to modernize its mineral sector by adopting advanced technologies to enhance sustainable development and productivity.

A documentary highlighting the evolution and capabilities of GARL was shown, and the visit included a tour of laboratory sections and interactions with Geological Survey of Pakistan scientists. Ambassador Shuichi praised Pakistan’s initiatives to build scientific infrastructure and reiterated Japan’s commitment to fostering technical cooperation and scientific exchange in geoscience.

Both countries expressed satisfaction with the ongoing technical collaboration between GSP and JICA and affirmed their dedication to expanding their partnership in the petroleum sector, particularly in geosciences and mineral research. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Petroleum Division, Geological Survey of Pakistan, Embassy of Japan, and JICA Pakistan Office.