Protests blocking Pakistan's progress, says Sharif

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday said sit-ins led by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) in Islamabad have caused huge economic loss to the country.

"PTI and PAT are playing with Pakistan's progress and blocking its way to prosperity," Sharif said, adding that the protests would soon be left behind and the country would move towards development.

"Foundation for mature politics has been laid down by us and this tradition should be pushed forward," Dawn online quoted Sharif as saying.

Sharif also lamented that the cancellation of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit was due to the sit-ins.

Pakistan's foreign friends were also unhappy with such politics, he added.

The prime minister vowed to overcome the internal security challenges and unemployment issues confronting the country.

During his address at a two-day investment conference on "Invest Pakistan: priority sectors and legal framework for investment in the country", Sharif said there were opportunities for investors in Pakistan and termed the country the place for long-term investments.

The highest number of participants in the conference were from China, followed by Bahrain, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Russia.