JDS Eid Dinner for Alumni in Islamabad

 
Islamabad, March 31, 2026 - H.E. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, hosted a special JDS Eid Dinner in Islamabad, bringing together alumni of the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) program. The event marked the joyous occasion of Eid and celebrated the enduring friendship and cooperation between Japan and Pakistan.
 
The gathering provided an opportunity to reconnect with JDS alumni and acknowledge their continued contributions to Pakistan’s public sector and institutional development. The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for their role in strengthening governance and fostering closer ties between the two countries.
 
In his remarks, Ambassador Akamatsu highlighted the long-standing and friendly relations between Japan and Pakistan, built over more than seventy years through mutual respect, cooperation, and strong people-to-people connections. He also noted the growing momentum in bilateral engagement, including Pakistan’s presence in the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, which attracted significant attention from the Japanese public and enhanced high-level exchanges.
 
The Ambassador outlined three key areas for further strengthening Japan-Pakistan relations: enhancing people-to-people exchanges, deepening economic cooperation, and promoting cultural interaction. He emphasized that initiatives such as the JDS program play a vital role in building a strong human bridge between the two countries.
The JDS alumni network has now grown to 82 members, including 81 Master’s graduates and one Doctoral graduate, who are actively serving in Pakistan’s public sector. In addition, 32 fellows are currently pursing master’s and so are 3 fellows for Ph.D. in Japan, who will further contribute to this expanding network.
 
Ambassador Akamatsu also noted the increasing interest in Japanese culture in Pakistan and expressed hope that such exchanges-ranging from education to cuisine-will continue to bring the two societies closer together.
 
The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to strengthening friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding between Japan and Pakistan. About the JDS Program
The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) provides young civil servants in Pakistan with opportunities to pursue graduate studies in Japan. The program focuses on strengthening public administration, policymaking capacity, and institutional development, thereby contributing to sustainable growth and enhanced governance in Pakistan while reinforcing bilateral relations between the two countries.