ISLAMABAD, AUG 07 (DNA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendations to two Pakistani individuals and aJapanese in recognition of their significant contribution to the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and Pakistan in their respective fields.

The FM Commendations 2018 recipients are Mr. Zafar Mahmood, Visiting Professor, Japanese Language Department, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad, Ms. Toshiko Orita, Vice President, Pakistan Japan Cultural Association, Islamabad and Mr. Mahmood A. Jilani, Ex. Deputy Resident Representative, JICA Pakistan Office.

The commendations conferment ceremony was held today at the official residence of H.E. Mr. Takashi Kurai, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, which was attended by the friends, former colleagues and family members of the commendations recipients. At the ceremony, Ambassador Kurai presented the commendation certificates to the three individuals on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Ambassador Kurai, while congratulating the commendation recipients, said that they made invaluable contribution to raising the level of exchanges of culture or business between our two countries. Ambassador said further that the friendship between Japan and Pakistan is based on mutual trust, cooperation and understanding but it is not possible without the untiring efforts made by those including the three recipients who work so hard for it.

Summary of Contributions:

1.

Mr. Zafar Mahmood, Visiting Professor, National University of Modern Languages

Achievements: Promotion of Japanese Language Education in Pakistan

He continuously contributes to promote Japanese Language by launching and managing  JLCT(Japanese Language Certificate Test) in Pakistan and teaching Japanese language as a visiting Professor at NUML(National University of Modern Language). He holds Level1 of JLPT(Japanese Language Proficiency Test) which is one of the most difficult Japanese language certificates.

He has been in the executive member of MAAP(Monbukagakusho Alumni Association of Pakistan) which is the association of Pakistan alumni’s of Japanese universities. When he was President of MAAP, he showed his leadership to promote educational relationship between Japan and Pakistan. He is still active as Advisor of MAAP executive member to promote people to people exchange project between Japan and Pakistan.

2.

Ms. Toshiko Orita, Vice Presidednt, Pakistan Japan Cultural Association

Achievements: Promotion of Japanese Culture in Pakistan

Ms. Orita has been promoting Japanese culture as an Ikebana teacher. She was promoting fabric flower art from 1975 to 1978 in Lahore. It was a first attempt to introduce fabric art to Pakistan and held a fabric flower exhibition.

Since 2006, she has been holding various Japanese cultural events as a vice President of PJCA(Pakistan Japan Cultural Association). During her entire life in Pakistan, she has been contributing to promote Japanese culture to enhance friendship between Japan and Pakistan.

3.

Mr. Mahmood A. Jilani (Ex. Deputy Resident Representative, JICA Pakistan Office).

Achievements: Promotion of Mutual understanding between Japan and Pakistan

Mr. Jilani served in JICA(Japan International Cooperation Agency) Pakistan office from 1988 to 2016. During his 30 years tenure of service, he contributed to smooth implementation of Japanese economic cooperation aid projects in Pakistan.

His achievement includes about 30 various Grant Aid and Technical Cooperation projects and more than 10 development studies, primarily in disaster management.

He made smooth interaction with Pakistani government that helped to introduce various economic cooperation schemes in the country.

He showed strong dedication to promote economic ties between Pakistan and Japan. In 2011, he was decorated with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz from the Government of Pakistan for his service in receiving the Japan Disaster Relief Team, when Pakistan experienced two of the worst natural disasters in its history, namely the Earthquake in 2005 and Flood in 2010.