KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Tuesday the government is devising policies that are in favour of the business community.

Talking to a group of businessmen at Governor House, the prime minister said global financial institutions and credit rating agencies have lauded Pakistan’s economic performance.

He said that Pakistan is now perceived to be an investment-friendly country where global firms and institutions are keen to invest to capitalise on opportunities it offers, the prime minister added.

He said the government will provide investors with all facilities and protection. He termed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a game-changer, noting that its completion will strengthen the economy and generate employment.

The prime minister said that in 2013, the law and order situation was bad while the country faced multiple challenges, like terrorism, energy shortage and poor economic conditions. However, the government handled the challenges and put the economy on the track of progress.

The CPEC is a symbol of economic progress and the government will not tolerate any obstacle to the project, he noted.

The pace of economic growth in 2016 was 4.8 per cent, which was the highest in the last eight years, the prime minister said.

He stated that loadshedding will soon be eliminated as the government is working on low-priced and environment friendly energy projects.

The prime minister told the businessmen that he is aware of the problems confronting the city’s business community. He said the federal government will extend full cooperation to the Sindh government in the implementation of mega projects in Karachi.

Earlier, business leaders informed the prime minister about their problems.

Before meeting businessmen, Mr Sharif met Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

They exchanged views on the overall law and order situation in the province. The prime minister assured them of full cooperation with regard to the ongoing operation against criminals and completion of mega projects.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2017