KARACHI: On his first officialvisittoKarachi after assuming responsibilities as the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Mitshurio Wada called on Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah here on Tuesday.

TheJapaneseAmbassador was accompanied on the visit by the Cousul General Tashio Odagiri and First Secretary Tadayoshi Hiraki.

On the occasion the Ambassador expressed his concern on the recent devastation after the flash floods in the province and offered assistance in the rehabilitation of the flood af fectees.He also attended an interactive lunch in his honour organised at a local hotel by Sohail Shams, the CEO of events company United Marine Agency (UMA).

During his speech there, the Japanese envoy emphasised on further strengthening the fraternal and friendly relations between Japan and Pakistan. He also stressed upon the needfor cooperation between the two countriesin therealm and execution of the mutually cherish goals of economic cooperation in diverse fields. He said that Japan and Pakistan are holding joint business dialogues on Sept 29.

Ambassador Mitshurio of fered his sympathies to thebereaved families of the recent flood victims. He said that Japan was deeply saddened by the widespread damage in Pakistan caused by the unprecedented flooding and has contributed US$7 million for the flood-affected people in Pakistan. He apprised the audience about the ongoing support and role of Japan in the rehabilitation and buildingofinfrastructureinthe affected areas in collaboration with the government of Pakistan.

In a lighter moment, the envoy mentioned that the meaning of his name in Urdu is `promise and commitment` and he on this occasion pledged to play his diligent role in solidifying the ties between Japan and Pakistan.

He expressed his satisfaction over the existing diplomatic relations between the two countries and hoped that both sides will play a galvanising role for the promotion of their 70-year relations in the coming years.

Sohail Shams of UMA and Kalim Farooqui, chairman of the Pakistan Japan Forum also spoke.