Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday lauded the contribution by overseas Pakistanis in the socio-economic development of their motherland and urged them to benefit from the excellent investment opportunities in the country.
Talking to Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor M. Afzal Khan, who called on him at the Prime Minister's House, he said the overseas Pakistanis were a precious asset to the country.
Prime Minister Aziz said that Pakistani expatriates were not only contributing substantially and effectively towards the development of their respective host countries but also towards the socio-economic and educational uplift of their motherland.
Terming the Pakistani community in Britain as vibrant and active, the Prime Minister said the way the diaspora galvanised into action in support of their brethren back home in the aftermath of the earthquake was simply commendable.
"It set a noble example worth emulating" he added.
The Prime Minister also acknowledged the useful help and assistance sent by the government of UK especially the medical and rescue teams which he said had done a commendable job.
The Prime Minister also said that Pakistan enjoys very cordial relations with UK, which are being further expanded in the trade and economic fields.
He told the Mayor about the investment-friendly regime in Pakistan, following the far-reaching structural reforms undertaken in each and every area of the economy.
The Prime Minister urged the overseas Pakistanis to avail themselves of the excellent opportunities of investment created in the country in the wake of growing middle class with rising income levels. "Pakistan is a country of 150 million people, situated at the gateway of the world's three important regions', he observed while referring to the country's strategic location at the crossroads of the Gulf, Central and South Asian regions.
Prime Minister Aziz said the government was undertaking crash programmes to improve the skills of Pakistani workers in order to enhance their competitiveness.
He reiterated Pakistan's firm resolve to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and added that Pakistan is an anchor of peace and stability in the region.
Aziz said Pakistan has a functioning democracy with active parliament and free Press.
The local government system was gaining strength day by day, he said while adding, efforts were underway for women's empowerment and to increase their participation with a view to bringing them into the mainstream of national life.
The Lord Mayor informed the Prime Minister that there were more than 30,000 Pakistanis in Manchester and the community was actively contributing to the socio-economic uplift of their host country.
He called for closer economic linkage between the UK-based Pakistanis and their brethren back home for mutual advantage.
The Mayor also lauded the sponsorship scheme launched by the government for the earthquake victims and said he would mobilise more support for the scheme in Britain.
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