JDS Pakistan

27/08/2026

We are pleased to share highlights from the Pre-Departure Orientation Program for the JDS 8th Batch Fellows, organized by JICA Pakistan on 7th August 2026.

The opinion exchange session offered the fellows an opportunity to learn more about JICA’s ongoing initiatives in Pakistan and Japan’s development cooperation, while engaging in meaningful discussions and exchanging perspectives with JICA staff and Japanese counterparts.

A valuable platform for learning, dialogue, and fostering stronger people-to-people and institutional ties between Pakistan and Japan.

14/08/2026

First and foremost, we at the JICE Pakistan Office are greatly honored to see JDS alumni participate in the courtesy meeting with the President of JICA. This occasion highlights the continued contributions and achievements of JDS graduates in Pakistan. Among the distinguished JDS alumni is Ms. Lubna Nazir, a Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) officer with extensive experience in public administration, development planning, and public-sector management.
Ms. Lubna joined the Pakistan Administrative Service in 2010 as Assistant Commissioner in Sheikhupura and subsequently served in various key positions across Punjab, including in Kasur, Nankana, Layyah, Rawalpindi, and the Health, Energy, School Education, and Planning & Development departments. She has also served as Additional Secretary and held responsibilities in the implementation and oversight of major development projects.

As a JDS scholar, Ms. Lubna pursued her Master's studies at Hiroshima University, Japan, from 2021 to 2023, in the International Economic Development programme. Her research focused on barriers to the implementation of smart grid technology in Pakistan, and she successfully completed her degree in 2023.

Following her return to Pakistan, she continued her public service career, including serving as Deputy Commissioner, Lodhran. She is currently serving as Director General of the Punjab Women Protection Authority (PWPA).

As a JDS alumnus, Ms. Lubna continues to demonstrate her commitment to public service and strongly supports the JDS programme, particularly in encouraging fellow Pakistani civil servants to pursue the valuable academic and professional opportunities it offers.

03/04/2026

𝐉𝐃𝐒 𝐄𝐢𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐝

Islamabad, March 31, 2026 - H.E. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, hosted a special JDS Eid Dinner in Islamabad, bringing together alumni of the Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) program. The event marked the joyous occasion of Eid and celebrated the enduring friendship and cooperation between Japan and Pakistan.

The gathering provided an opportunity to reconnect with JDS alumni and acknowledge their continued contributions to Pakistan’s public sector and institutional development. The Ambassador expressed his appreciation for their role in strengthening governance and fostering closer ties between the two countries.

In his remarks, Ambassador Akamatsu highlighted the long-standing and friendly relations between Japan and Pakistan, built over more than seventy years through mutual respect, cooperation, and strong people-to-people connections. He also noted the growing momentum in bilateral engagement, including Pakistan’s presence in the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025, which attracted significant attention from the Japanese public and enhanced high-level exchanges.

The Ambassador outlined three key areas for further strengthening Japan-Pakistan relations: enhancing people-to-people exchanges, deepening economic cooperation, and promoting cultural interaction. He emphasized that initiatives such as the JDS program play a vital role in building a strong human bridge between the two countries.
The JDS alumni network has now grown to 82 members, including 81 Master’s graduates and one Doctoral graduate, who are actively serving in Pakistan’s public sector. In addition, 32 fellows are currently pursing master’s and so are 3 fellows for Ph.D. in Japan, who will further contribute to this expanding network.

Ambassador Akamatsu also noted the increasing interest in Japanese culture in Pakistan and expressed hope that such exchanges-ranging from education to cuisine-will continue to bring the two societies closer together.

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to strengthening friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding between Japan and Pakistan.
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About the JDS Program
The Project for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) provides young civil servants in Pakistan with opportunities to pursue graduate studies in Japan. The program focuses on strengthening public administration, policymaking capacity, and institutional development, thereby contributing to sustainable growth and enhanced governance in Pakistan while reinforcing bilateral relations between the two countries.

26/03/2026

Dear fellows of JDS Pakistan

Eid Mubarak

I just found an article about seminar regarding AI development,
invitint two important guests from Pakistan.

Mr. Shahbaz Hameed from Pakistan Export Board
and
Prof. Yasar Ayaz from NUST
https://www.jica.go.jp/about/dx/information/2025/1579544_67832.html

Unfortunately, I can only see artcilt in japanese,
but hope the auto translation function will work in your evniroment and able to read if you are interested.

独立行政法人 国際協力機構（以降、JICA）日本企業とパキスタン、アルメニア、スリランカのテック企業との協業促進に取り組んでおります。 この度JICAでは、日本とパキスタン両国のAIに関する社会実装状況や研究開発トレ...