ISLAMABAD, Oct 27: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday asked Pakistan's ambassador-designate to the United States Gen (retd) Jehangir Karamat to work hard for cementing ties with Washington in political, defence, economic, cultural and social fields.

He was talking to Gen Karamat, who had called on him at the prime minister's house.

Mr Aziz asked the ambassador-designate to make endeavours to redress the problems of the Pakistanis living in the US. He called for efforts to bring more American investment to Pakistan. He emphasized the importance of using diplomatic channels for increasing trade between the two countries.

Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani also met the premier and discussed with him matters pertaining to the province.

Mr Aziz renewed the government's commitment to speedy development of Balochistan. He expressed the confidence that after mega-projects were completed, the province would become a hub of economic activities in the region and generate a lot of employment opportunities.