Press release

ambassador of Japan inaugurates a Water Supply System in 3 Villages near Muzaffarabad, established with the assistance of the Government of Japan

PRESS RELEASE N0: JPNEMPAK 14-35

Islamabad: 6 June 2014

H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, inaugurated a water supply system today that has started providing clean and safe water to Villages Lower Showai, Makkol, and Sherwan of the Muzaffarabad District in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The project was made possible by a grant of US $ 116,444 from the Government of Japan to ASTAFADA, an NGO actively working for rural and communal development in AJK. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the staff of the NGO, members of the local community and other notables from the area.
Before this initiative, the area which lies on the suburb of the Muzaffarabad city was suffering from a shortage of clean water, especially during the summer season. This had an adverse effect on the community, particularly in terms of health as evident by a high prevalence of the hepatitis disease in the area. This project has provided more than 480 households with safe water at their doorsteps which would be available all year round.
At the inauguration ceremony, Ambassador Inomata stressed the importance of clean drinking water and basic sanitation services. He urged the community to be responsible for taking good care of the facility so that its benefits could be long-term and sustainable. He concluded by expressing his hope that this project would lay the foundation of a better future for the area and also contribute to the strengthening of ties between the people of Japan and Pakistan.
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