By NNN-APP
Islamabad : Japan on Monday pledged a $3.5 million grant to support preparations for the forthcoming general election in Pakistan.
The pledge was made by Deputy Chief of Mission of the Japan Embassy in a meeting with the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Secretary Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad here.
Japan will extend the support through its contribution to the joint efforts of the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Country Director of UNDP Alvaro Rodriguez and Deputy Country Mikiko Tanaka also attended the meeting.
A Japanese Embassy press release said the Japanese contribution would be used to procure transparent ballot boxes to ensure free, fair and transparent polling as well as other electoral commodities such as tamper-resistant seals and polling booths at voting stations.
Japan along with other like-minded donors has actively participated in coordinated efforts to support the preparations for the next general elections in Pakistan.
As Japan considers that Pakistan’s development as a moderate and modern Islamic state will contribute to peace and prosperity in the region, Japan has continued to support Pakistan’s efforts for economic and social development as well as consolidation of democracy, the press release said.Â