Dr Maleeha Lodhi, recently appointed as Pakistan's Permanent Representative to UN, called on the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and reform Professor Ahsan Iqbal here on Wednesday.
The Federal Minister said, "There is a need to promote economic diplomacy for increasing FDI in Pakistan. The Business Community, Diaspora and Think-tanks should be engaged by our diplomatic mission in the United States to promote soft image of our country, as an investment destination. The policies of government have reversed downward slide and economic indicators are showing signs of recovery".
Acknowledging terrorism as a hurdle in the way of attracting foreign investment, the Federal Minister said, "The government has launched a decisive military operation against the extremists, who are confined only to some remote areas. That day is not very far when we will defeat the monster of terrorism completely from Pakistan and restore complete peace in the country".
"The Prime Minister has taken major steps to develop counter narrative against terrorism through National Action Plan. The new paradigm of Foreign Policy has increased emphasis on regional connectivity and better relations with neighbouring countries, particularly with Afghanistan. Various initiatives have been taken under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as Gawadar can act as a hub for trade between Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Central Asia and Gulf region", he added. He said, "The government is launching a project to annually attract 50 top talented Pakistani professionals from the Diaspora to come to Pakistan for 6 months to 1 year for sharing their experiences and talent".-PR