The Mayor of Iwaki City, Mr. Hiroyuki Uchida, has temporarily suspended the proposal for establishing a Sister City partnership between Iwaki, Japan, and Wazirabad, Pakistan. The decision, according to city officials, has been taken to allow more time for reviewing procedural, administrative, and diplomatic aspects before moving forward with the initiative.
The Sister City proposal, which aimed to strengthen cultural and people-to-people ties between the two cities, had been in preliminary discussion stages over the past few months. Sources within Iwaki City Hall confirmed that while the idea was positively received, several formalities and consultations with relevant Japanese and Pakistani authorities are still pending.
Prominent community leader Malik Saleem, who has played a key role in promoting the idea, acknowledged the suspension and said he respects the Mayor’s cautious approach. “It is a matter that involves two friendly nations. We fully understand that such agreements require time, documentation, and official coordination. The proposal is not cancelled—only paused until all necessary steps are in place,” he stated.
Observers in Japan and Pakistan believe the decision reflects a procedural delay rather than a withdrawal. Both sides are expected to continue informal exchanges, with hopes that the Iwaki–Wazirabad Sister City project will eventually resume once administrative and diplomatic prerequisites are fulfilled.
The initiative, when revived, is expected to contribute significantly to strengthening Japan–Pakistan friendship at the local government level.
