Shinkiari, District Mansehra
Islamabad: April 9 th , 2025
On Monday, April 7, 2025, His Excellency, Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi,
Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan inaugurated a project for the pavement of
a link road in the village of Jhandwal, Shinkiari, District Mansehra. The
project was implemented by Saibaan Development Organization, a non-
governmental organization working for vulnerable people in rural areas of
Pakistan with the aim of eliminating social disparities.
The Government of Japan, through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots
Human Security Projects (GGP) Program, provided financial assistance of
56,418 USD to this project, for the pavement of a 3,800-foot link road,
along with the construction of retaining walls and culverts. The
inauguration ceremony was attended by the NGO board members, federal
and local government officials, and community leaders, including Mr.
Sardar Shah Jahan Yousaf, Parliamentary Leader Member of the Provincial
Assembly (MPA) KP.
Saibaan Development Organization, with more than twenty years of
experience in rural development, has experience of implementing
successful projects in collaboration with government departments and
various donors. This project, funded by the Government of Japan, improves
people’s quality of life in this remote region by mitigating the peoples’
difficulties of traveling in village and nearby areas. The newly paved road
provides a safe and reliable route to school for 330 children, while also
improving access to healthcare facilities and markets for 2,700 local
people.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Ambassador Akamatsu congratulated
the NGO for the successful completion of this important project. He
emphasized that “the pavement of the link road is not just about building a
road—it opens up access to opportunities, connects communities to vital
services and creates an environment for further growth.” He stressed that
this project would contribute significantly to the overall development and
betterment of the area.
Ambassador Akamatsu reiterated that the Government of Japan remained
committed to supporting the people of Pakistan, in improving their living
standards. He expressed his sincere wish that the project would further
strengthen the existing friendship between the people of Japan and Pakistan
