ISLAMABAD, April 9: Federal Minister for Privatization and Investment Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has said it is need of the hour to project Pakistan’s true image abroad keeping in view the country’s improved economic and law and order situation.

He was talking to information group officers who had been assigned to perform duties as press ministers, press counsellors and press attaches in different countries including China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Singapore and Russia.

The minister said it was the government’s endeavour to bring closer the private sectors of various countries to Pakistan’s private sector so that these could avail the innumerable investment opportunities under the liberal economic and investment regime.

The regime has allowed the foreign investors to bring in 100 per cent equity and take out the same as and when they desire without any restriction, he added.

Dr Shaikh said representing the country’s true picture would certainly attract foreign investment. The situation has changed and now there is no tension on our borders as neighbouring countries are on the negotiating table, he added.

He said Afghanistan was under reconstruction process and Pakistan’s trade with it had increased from few millions to $1 billion.

The minister pointed out that Pakistan had emerged as a nation with strong economy under the leadership of President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. However, we still lag behind in improving economic and trade relations with our best friends like China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, he added.

He said the prime objective of Pakistani diplomats should be to work hard for strengthening and increasing the economic relations and trade volume with the countries of their posting by inviting the respective private sectors to Pakistan.