Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that there is a dire need to change our mindset of depending on others and become a self-reliant nation.
Addressing the concluding session of the two-day Envoys Conference on Economic Diplomacy in Islamabad, the PM said that coordinated national efforts are needed to convert the current challenges at different fronts into opportunities.
He directed the foreign office and envoys posted abroad to rise to the occasion and promote soft image of Pakistan abroad through proactive economic diplomacy.
Imran Khan regretted that our elites have ditched the country at international level for their own vested interest. He said past rulers projected themselves as progressive and painted rest of the nation as extremist, causing an enormous damage to the national image.
Highlighting importance of expatriates, the PM said that overseas Pakistanis are our great asset, which needs to be better utilised.
He said Pakistani embassies abroad should extend every possible assistance and cooperation to Pakistani workers and diaspora convincing them to invest in their home country.
The PM stressed the need for vigorous efforts to enhance exports. “Pakistani envoys should explore new avenues like Africa and Latin America for Pakistani products”, he urged.
Imran said Pakistan is a fertile territory for investment making it the most attractive place for business. He said the government believes in providing cordial atmosphere for ease of doing business.
The prime minister said wealth creation is necessary for job opportunities and prosperity and the government will stand by the business people to enhance their profitability.
Khan also urged envoys to play their role in checking money laundering as the government is committed to eliminate this menace.
This is pertinent to mention that the federal government on Friday issued a list of 172 suspects whose names have been put on the Exit Control List (ECL) following the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report on money laundering through fake bank accounts.
The top leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) including party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur, Sindh chief minister Murad Ali Shah, former chief minister Qaim Ali Shah, provincial ministers Mukesh Chawla, Imtiaz Shaikh and former home minister Sohail Anwar Siyal are among those barred from flying abroad.
The names of various provincial government officials, bank officials and property tycoons have also been placed on the ECL.
