ISLAMABAD, Dec 20: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday lauded contribution made by overseas Pakistanis to socio-economic development of their motherland and urged them to benefit from investment opportunities in the country.

Speaking to Lord Mayor of Manchester M. Afzal Khan, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House, Mr Aziz said the overseas Pakistanis were a precious asset of the country.

He said the expatriates were not only substantially contributing to the development of their host countries but also to socio-economic and educational uplift of their motherland.

Terming the Pakistani community in Britain as vibrant and active, he said the way the diaspora galvanized into action in support of their brethren back home in the aftermath of the earthquake was commendable.

The prime minister also acknowledged assistance sent by the UK government, especially the medical and rescue teams, which, he said, had done a commendable job.

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 investment opportunities 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 said while referring to the country’s strategic location at the crossroads of the Gulf and Central and South Asian regions.

Prime Minister Aziz said the government was undertaking crash programmes to improve the skills of workers to enhance their competitiveness.

He reiterated government resolve to combat terrorism in all of its forms and manifestations and added that Pakistan was an anchor of peace and stability in the region.

The 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.