LAHORE – Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met Seishiro Eto, Chairman of the Japan-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship League, during her official visit to Japan and discussed ways to expand cooperation between Punjab and Japan. According to a handout, Eto congratulated Maryam Nawaz on becoming the first woman Chief Minister of Punjab and welcomed her visit in this historic role. He assured her of his support in promoting investment in Punjab and in initiating joint ventures between Japan and Pakistan.
The meeting focused on strengthening parliamentary contacts, enhancing economic cooperation, and exploring collaboration in agriculture, industry, and workforce development. Maryam Nawaz acknowledged Eto’s longstanding role in advancing parliamentary diplomacy and strengthening Pakistan-Japan relations. She outlined her government’s development vision, emphasizing that Punjab aims to benefit from Japan’s expertise in education, healthcare, urban development, policing, sewage and water treatment, and environmental protection. She said technology transfer and the adoption of modern tools would be encouraged in every sector. The chief minister also announced plans to introduce AI-based smart services in Punjab and to establish research partnerships between Punjab’s universities and leading Japanese institutions. Both sides agreed that stronger parliamentary engagement would help consolidate bilateral relations and open new avenues for joint progress.