Addressing at the inaugural session of Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit, the Foreign Minister said peace in Afghanistan was important to realize the dream of progress and prosperity in the region, for which Pakistan was making persistent efforts and contribution.
The Foreign Minister said in view of ensuring peace, Pakistan always emphasized on holding dialogue with India to resolve all outstanding issues.
He mentioned that talks between the two countries on opening of Kartarpur Corridor, being held Thursday at Attari, India, were also meant to ensure peace.
Qureshi said setting up Special Economic Zones under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would encourage investment in Pakistan, leading to sustainable development and economic stability.
He regretted that some projects, initiated by the previous government such as metro bus service, had burdened the already weak economy with heavy subsidies.
He said entering into $20 billion development projects with Saudi Arabia was another milestone for the country towards achieving economic stability.
The Foreign Minister said Pakistan was ready to introduce a new visa regime to promote tourism and culture.
He mentioned that 125 countries would benefit from the new regime with ease in getting visas and added that the step was aimed at promoting Pakistan's peaceful image abroad.
He said Pakistan was not a poor country, but lacked proper administrative mechanism which led to approaching the International Monetary Fund in the past.
He mentioned that Pakistan was facing the challenges including 6.6 percent fiscal deficit, 10-year burden of loans, decline in foreign investment, unemployment and one-third of population living below poverty line.
He assured that despite such challenges, the government was committed to making Pakistan a better place to live. "We want all Pakistanis to enjoy full opportunities of economic development and be being proud citizens of their country," he said.
Qureshi expressed gratitude to European Union and European Parliament for their support to Pakistan and said EU's High Representative on Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini would be arriving here on March 26 and would sign several accords on Pak-EU strategic cooperation.
The two-day conference is being attended by over 60 business delegations from 25 countries.