Pakistan and Japan have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in the petroleum sector, with a special focus on geosciences and mineral research, according to an official statement released after a high-level meeting at the Geological Survey of Pakistan.
Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik welcomed Akamatsu Shuichi during his visit to the facility, where both sides reviewed ongoing collaboration and explored avenues for future technical partnership.
The minister noted that Pakistan and Japan share a long history of scientific cooperation in geosciences and mineral exploration. He described the establishment of the Geoscience Advanced Research Laboratories with Japanese assistance, particularly through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, as a major milestone in bilateral collaboration.
Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in geosciences, laboratory procedures, and technical capacity building in the coming years. The minister emphasized that Pakistan is actively upgrading its mineral sector by replacing traditional exploration methods with modern technology and advanced scientific techniques.
A documentary film was screened for the visiting delegation, showcasing the history, evolution, and modern capabilities of the Geoscience Advanced Research Laboratory.
Ambassador Akamatsu praised Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its scientific infrastructure and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to continued technical cooperation and the promotion of scientific exchanges between the two countries.
Senior officials from the Petroleum Division, the Geological Survey of Pakistan, the Japanese Embassy, and JICA were also present at the meeting.