Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that the promotion of foreign investment in the country was among the top priorities of the government.

“The government is committed to ensuring favourable conditions for foreign investors with the aim to strengthen the national economy,” he told a delegation of the Pakistan America Business Forum.

The delegation included Pakistan America Business Forum Secretary General Waqar Khan, president Riaz Hussain and senior vice president Anwar Azam. Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi and senior officials also attended the meeting.

PM Shehbaz said the coalition government came to power during tough times with an objective to uphold the “sanctity” of the state over politics. “The government took difficult decisions to revive the economy and save the country from default.”

He accused the previous government of imparting damage to the economy, however, he said that “efforts were afoot” to ensure the development through hard work. The prime minister added that short-term and long-term plans would be implemented to cut dependence on imported fuel for electricity generation.

He said a project to generate power up to 7,000MW through renewable sources, including solar and wind, was in the offing. The premier spoke about the austerity measures while mentioning the decision to ban the import of luxury goods as well as the reduction of “unnecessary government expenditure”.

The delegation appreciated the measures taken by PM Shehbaz for the restoration of the economy, besides extending facilities to the export industry and addressing the problems of overseas Pakistanis.

The delegation apprised the PM about their problems and also gave feedback on various related matters. PM Shehbaz instructed the authorities concerned to resolve their problems on a priority basis and assured them of every possible facilitation by the government.