By Kalim Farooqui The year 2022 signifies 70 years of Pakistan Japan diplomatic relations which were established on April 28, 1952. While we rejoice the important milestone of 70 years of close cooperation, the connection between the two can, in a sense, be traced back to 538 AD when today’s Pakistan, then a cradle of the Gandhara Civilization, served as a source for the promotion of Buddhism in Japan. Gandhara flourished in this region from 500 BC to 10 AD and Buddhism reached Japan during the sixth century. Mutual exchanges and cooperation continued, such as the establishment of a chair for the Urdu language in 1930 at the University of Tokyo and the Takushoku University. Japan is the third largest economy in the world and a majo...
February 23, 2022 at 9:39 am | Economic Affairs
Governments the sector as a drain on foreign exchange and treats it as a cash cow for collecting taxes. Presently, taxes range between 37 to 43% on every car being produced in Pakistan while most of the assemblers/manufacturers are more focused on their principal’s bottom lines in short term than to have a long term vision of sustainability and growth. Since long, auto industry of Pakistan is engulfed in haze. Stakeholders define the purpose and benefit of having auto manufacturing in Pakistan according to their own vested interests. Importers of new and used cars propagate that local manufacturing is not good for the country and we shall be following the import model practiced by oil rich gulf countries. Governments often regards ...
February 23, 2022 at 8:12 am | Economic Affairs
By Mashood Khan “In 2022, we will commemorate 70 years of trade and cooperation. Pakistan was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Japan after signing a treaty in 1952. That same year Karachi became one of the first few cities of the world from where Japan chose to return to business after the war. There are many platforms between both countries but Pakistan-Japan Business Forum (PJBF) is a bilateral forum established in 2001 with a view to promoting trade and investments between the two friendly countries. To achieve this objective, the formation of its Board of Directors comprises ten Directors each from Pakistan and from Japan elected for a period of 3 years. The counter part of PJBF in Japan is J...
February 23, 2022 at 7:58 am | Economic Affairs
By Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Khan “Gandhara” literary meaning the land of fragrance was the ancient name of the tract of country on the west bank of the Indus River which comprises the Peshawar valley and the modern Swat, Buner and. Bajaur. It was a country with rich, well-watered valleys, clear-cut hills and a pleasant climate. Situated on the borderland between India and Western Asia, Gandhara belonged as much and as little to the one as to the other. In the sixth and fifth centuries B.C. E. it formed part of the Achaemenid empire of Persia. In the fourth it was occupied for a brief period by the armies of Alexander the Great. Cooperation between Japan and Pakistan in the field of Buddhist archaeology dates back to the late 60s...
February 23, 2022 at 7:46 am | Economic Affairs
By Ahmad Farooq “Diagnosis not yet complete but the results seem satisfactory”, the cable US President Henry S. Truman received on July 16, 1945, was to change the world. The human eyes saw in less than a few decades, the country rising from ruins and in such a spectacular manner which astounded all political pundits and economic vizards. “Fat Man” code-word for ten thousand pounds device, the first atomic weapon, had been produced and tested at Alamogordo desert in New Mexico, United States of America. While some scientists were skeptical about the destructive capacity of the weapon, others believed that it could make “the air itself catch fire”. In the words of William Lawrence of New York Times, the only journalist ...
February 23, 2022 at 7:25 am | Economic Affairs
By Khawaja Fahad Iqbal He was such a strange guy. He had no regard for his own future, his career and his comfort. Ever since I have come to Japan to pursue my PhD, my friends and relatives have been trying to convince me that look! This is golden opportunity for you! Don’t go back to Pakistan after completing your studies. Find a well-paying job in Japan, establish yourself here and live a comfortable life. Whenever I hear such advice from people, I start thinking about this strange guy. He was born and raised in Japan, became a doctor, and then left everything here for the life of hardships in the mountains and deserts of Afghanistan. He was born and raised in Japan, became a doctor, and then left everything here for the life ...
February 23, 2022 at 7:10 am | Economic Affairs
In Preview of International Maritime Arena Marine ecosystem is being monitored through regular patrolling of Marine Protected Areas, Control Boarding operations onboard merchant vessels to ensure compliance with international and national regulations, Port State Control Measures, continuous surveillance of harbour against any environmental hazard and through collaborative training & rehearsing response mechanism against any oil spill incidents. Today, the world faces paramount challenges related to the use of fossil fuels. Environmental pollution, the reality of anthropogenic climate change, and the potential hazards associated with oil and gas have induced policy-makers to draft ambitious plans for transitions to renewable alter...
February 22, 2022 at 9:38 pm | Economic Affairs
Japan’s Ambassador to Pakistan His Excellency, Mr. Wada Mitsuhiro, is the current Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan since November 2021. He is a career diplomat and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in 1983. Since then, he served his country on many diplomatic fronts including as Deputy Director-General, International Cooperation Bureau and Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department; Minister, Embassy of Japan in the People’s Republic of China; Assistant Director-General, Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau; Secretary-General; Secretariat for PALM7; Assistant Director-General, International Cooperation Bureau, MOFA; Consul-General of Japan in Detroit (Michigan and Ohio); Consul-General (Ambassador) of Japan in Hong K...
February 22, 2022 at 8:59 pm | Economic Affairs
February 18,2022Rawalpindi (ISPR)General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) is on an official visit to Belgium.During the visit, COAS called on Mr Stefano Sannino, Secretary General of the European External Action Services (EEAS) and General Claudio Graziano, Chairman of the EU Military Committee. During the meeting matters of mutual interest, overall regional security situation including current situation in Afghanistan and bilateral relations with EU were discussed. COAS said that Pakistan values its relations with EU countries and earnestly look forward to enhance mutual cooperation based on common interests.EU dignitaries appreciated Pakistan's sincere efforts for peace and stability in the region and pledged to play ...
February 18, 2022 at 11:03 am | Economic Affairs
February 14,2022Islamabad (Press Release)Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood met with German State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development Jochen Flasbarth at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr.Flasbarth is visiting Pakistan from 14-16 February 2022, on his first visit to Pakistan and abroad, after recently assuming his office.During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as regional issues. The Foreign Secretary stated that Germany was a valued, long-standing partner and Pakistan remained committed to further enhancing the bilateral relationship in all dimensions. In 2021, the two countries celebrated 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations. He added that Pakistan enjoyed multi-faceted coo...
February 15, 2022 at 11:04 am | Economic Affairs
Pakistan Rupee Exchange Rate