ISLAMABAD: Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Takashi Kurai called on the Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen M Mazari in Islamabad on Monday. The two discussed matters related to mutual relations and cooperation for the protection of human rights including the rights of women and children. Besides, Human Rights Secretary Rabiya Javeri Agha, high officials of the ministry were also among the attendants. They discussed matters related to the mutual relations and cooperation for the protection of human rights including the rights of women and children. During the meeting, Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari also raised the issue of the Japanese-India civil nuclear deal. Ambassador Takashi Kurai said we are eager to collaborate for the protection of human rights and showed his interest especially in non-formal education for adults. The minister apprised the ambassador about the steps which the government has taken for the protection of human rights and informed him about the facilities provided to women including women shelter adding that there is a need to further provide them technical work skills to make them economically sound. She said we are enthusiastic to work collectively to further promote this relation particularly for the protection of human rights. The Japanese ambassador appreciated the steps taken by the incumbent government for the protection of human rights in the country and assured his full support in this regard. Shireen Mazari also congratulated Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on his re-election. Separately, Mazari met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative Ruven Menikdiwela. They discussed the matters related to mutual cooperation and the problems relating to the Afghan refugees settled in Pakistan. The UNHCR representative while appreciating the efforts of Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan refugees over the last four decades and providing them support and assistance, said Pakistan has taken several steps to protect Afghan refugees in the country. Meanwhile, Ambassador of Ukraine to Pakistan Volodymyr Lakomov also paid a courtesy call to Mazari. During the meeting, they discussed mutual relations between the two countries. Published in Daily Times, September 25th 2018.