ISLAMABAD, OCT 26 /DNA/ – Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, attended the Inauguration Ceremony held for “the Project for the Improvement of the Link Road in Village Numbal, Tehsil Murree, Punjab”. The project was implemented by Al Mezan Islamic Model School, an organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable communities in Pakistan through education, capacity building, and inclusive social development.
The Government of Japan, through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Program, provided financial assistance of USD 64,528 for this project. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Ms. Sidra Batool, District Education Officer of Murree, along with officials of the Embassy of Japan, representatives of Al Mezan Islamic Model School, teachers, students, parents, and community members.
Al Mezan Islamic Model School has successfully completed the construction of the road, which consists of a durable concrete link road and protective culverts over local water channels, replacing vulnerable dirt paths and improving resilience against flooding.
Demonstrating strong local ownership, Al Mezan Islamic Model School and local residents contributed additional resources, including land valued at PKR 4.5 million, technical supervision and local stone materials.
This project responds to the urgent need for safe and reliable road access in Village Numbal, where inadequate infrastructure had long made daily travel difficult and posed serious risks, particularly during emergencies. The newly improved road enables more than 500 students to travel safely to school without having to cross flood-prone stream beds. It also directly benefit 2,540 local residents by improving access to healthcare facilities and markets, making daily life safer and more convenient.
In his address at the ceremony, Ambassador Akamatsu congratulated Al Mezan Islamic Model School on the successful completion of the project despite challenging terrain and harsh weather conditions. He emphasized that access to safe and reliable basic infrastructure is essential to improving people’s lives and supporting sustainable development. In particular, he highlighted the importance of safe roads to schools in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and build a better future.
Ambassador Akamatsu reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting the sustainable development of Pakistan and expressed his hope that this road would serve as a lasting symbol of the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Japan and Pakistan.
