WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has assured international investors that an even-handed operation against all terrorist groups is rapidly improving business environment in the country.

Addressing American CEOs at the US Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Mr Sharif said that Pakistan was carrying out comprehensive operations against all terrorists groups with the determination to obliterate terrorism from all parts of the country.

Take a look: Pakistan shows modest improvement in standard of education, says report

The operations has had a positive impact on the business environment too and urged investors to take advantage of this situation.

“We have made a strategic choice to take on terrorists of all hues and colours through a comprehensive strategy, involving stringent law enforcement measures as well as targeted military operations,” he said. “As a result of these concerted national efforts, we have seen a marked improvement in the internal security situation in Pakistan, with the current year witnessing the lowest number of terrorist attacks since 2007.”

The prime minister noted that the campaign against terrorism had improved internal security situation, while effective governance and public service delivery had led to robust economic indicators, in a short span of time.

“Pakistan is among the few places of the world that offer the promise of land, geography and people all at the same time,” he said. “Increased urbanisation, favourable demographics, growing middle class and economically empowered women and youth are the recognised drivers of growth,” he said.

Mr Sharif said that one of the key pillars of his government’s foreign policy was to support and encourage greater regional integration and connectivity.

“This is where we have our biggest opportunity,” he said, adding that the most promising element of this policy was the recently launched China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

He said the government was focusing on the energy sector.

“Overcoming energy shortages remains the top most priority for my government,” he said. We have evolved a comprehensive strategy, geared towards overcoming the energy problem on a sustainable basis. Our goal is to overcome energy shortages by 2017.”

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play