KARACHI, July 20: A Japan-funded project initiated in collaboration with the Al-Khidmat Foundation under the ‘Grant assistance for grassroots human security projects’ was inaugurated at a ceremony held here on Wednesday.

Under the $90,952 (approximately Rs7.7 million) project, seven water filtration plants have been installed in Karachi.

The ceremony was attended among others by Consul-General of Japan in Karachi Masaharu Sato and Al-Khidmat Foundation chief Niamatullah Khan, said a press release issued by the Japan consulate general.

With the objective to improve sanitation and human health conditions in communities, the Japanese government and the foundation had inked an agreement in this regard and selected seven sites in Karachi on July 12, 2010 and launched joint efforts for the installation of water purification plants mainly for under-privileged communities. The project’s aim was to provide low-cost and safe drinking water and help the communities raise their standard of living.

The grant was utilised for the distribution of purified water to the people who do not have access to safe water resources and are vulnerable to the threat of water-borne diseases due to the consumption of contaminated water.

The press release said the government of Japan strongly believed that the support from the Japanese people in the essential field of development would strengthen the friendly relationship between Japan and Pakistan.

It quoted Mr Sato as saying that implementation of the project would surely be a driving force for spreading better health conditions in Karachi and would be inspiring to see residents enjoy better standards of living.—PPI