QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said on Thursday that Japan had always supported Pakistan on all important issues.

The chief minister was talking to Consul General of Japan Akira Ouchi during a meeting held here.

“Japan is playing a vital role for the welfare of masses and improvement of different social sectors,” he said and hoped that Japan would continue to play its role in the development of education and health sectors in Pakistan.

Dr Baloch told Mr Ouchi that Balochistan lagged behind in education and health sectors as compared to other provinces. The provincial government would welcome Japan’s support to improve education, health and other social sectors, he added.

The chief minister said Balochistan looked forward to receiving Japanese offer of PhD scholarships for the teachers of Balochistan’s universities and asked the Japanese government to upgrade universities and other educational institutions. He said for boosting the economy of Balochistan, construction of dams and improvement of road networks was necessary. Mr Ouchi assured the chief minister that Japan would cooperate with the Balochistan government in improving education, health and fishing sectors of the province.