PM directs formulation of roadmap to boost trade, investment

Shehbaz leaves for New York to attend key meetings, 80th UNGA session

LONDON: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed authorities to develop a comprehensive roadmap and a reform agenda with practical projects to promote investment and trade in all key sectors.

Chairing a high-level meeting on enhancing investment volume, economic and trade activities in Pakistan, the premier emphasised that agriculture, IT, minerals, tourism, and renewable energy were important sectors that could attract foreign investment.

Along with investment, he said, promoting trade was also part of the government’s policy to significantly increase exports of the country.

PM Shehbaz said that targets had been given to the ministries to utilise all available resources to ensure the timely completion of all ongoing projects.

He also instructed all ministers to identify feasible projects and take immediate steps to put them into practice.

For this purpose, he said a roadmap and a reform agenda should be devised with the future in mind, so that progress toward our goals can be made in an organised manner.

The prime minister emphasised that the private sector will play a pivotal role in the economic roadmap and its participation will be ensured.

“Our ongoing economic and financial reform policies have given a new direction to the economy, and due to the innovation and transparency, the country is now on the path of development,” he added.

The meeting, held via Zoom from London, was attended by Federal Minister for Environment Musadik Malik, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervez Malik, Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Jehanzeb, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal, Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar, and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema.

The premier’s remarks come as he reached the UK after signing a historic mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday departed for New York from London to participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Premier Shehbaz — accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, as well as other ministers and senior government officials — will lead Pakistan’s delegation to the high-level segment of the UNGA, scheduled for Monday.

During his visit, the prime minister is scheduled to address the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. On the sidelines of the UNGA session, the prime minister is also expected to hold meetings with several world leaders.

In a statement issued earlier, the Foreign Office had mentioned that PM Shehbaz will participate in a meeting of “select” Muslim leaders with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UNGA session.

“The prime minister will also participate in a meeting of select Islamic leaders with US President Trump to exchange views on issues pertaining to regional and international peace and security,” the FO said.

At UNGA, PM Shehbaz will urge the international community to resolve the situations of prolonged occupation and denial of the right to self-determination from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine. “He will draw the attention of the international community towards the grave crisis in Gaza, and call for decisive action to end the suffering of the Palestinians,” the FO statement read. Monitoring Desk