Karachi: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has reiterated his commitment to take the ongoing Karachi security operation against criminals to its logical end, promising that the metropolis would be crime-free by 2018.

“By launching [the] police and Rangers’ operation here, our government took the bold step to purge this city of criminals. I assure you that this action would be taken to its logical end and Karachi will be a peaceful city by 2018,” the PM declared while addressing opening ceremony of 9th Expo Pakistan exhibition at Karachi Expo Centre.

On law and order, the Prime Minister said the government was pursuing the right course to overcome the problem.

“We have taken concrete decisions such as launch of the Zarb-e-Azb and Karachi operations to ensure peace in the country,” Sharif said.

He said the National Action Plan on countering terrorism was a national document and would be implemented in letter and spirit.

While launching the ninth edition of the Expo Pakistan 2015 Sharif painted an encouraging picture of the country and told the participants of the country’s biggest trade fair that, “Those who want to set up industries in the country now is the time, within the next three years Pakistan will overcome its energy crises.”

He added that, “There will be ample electricity available to industrial and household owners. Our goal is not only to provide electricity but also to lower the cost of its production.”

“For this purpose we have decided to set up liquefied natural gas (LNG) based power generating projects. The money for these projects will be provided from the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). We won’t take any chances,” the premier said.

He further said, “We are setting power producing units with the help of China and by the end of 2017 and construction in this regard has already started. 3,700 megawatts would have been added to the grid. The project would be funded from the government kitty, we are not depending on private sector or bank loans.”

The premier said that the government was working very hard in this regard and more electricity and power has been added to the system.

“Energy resources are not available as per need for which we are unable to deliver our orders to foreign customers but the crises will be resolved soon. We are trying to raise the country’s outlook from negative to positive,” Sharif said.

He added: “We are happy that we are on the right track towards progress and development. We are planning to set up more industrial projects in the country within next 25 years.”

Sharif said the country’s exports will be enhanced to $50 billion (Dh183 billion) during the next three years.

He said Pakistan is producing high quality products and services, which are recognised at the international level.

He said there were vast investment opportunities in the country and assured the government would provide all possible facilities to investors in order to achieve its objective of economic prosperity.

He said the government has announced a new textile policy under which textile-related production will be raised to $26 billion by 2019 from the current $13 billion.

Sharif said Pakistan is a safe country both for tourism and business and offers higher returns to the investors.

He said the government will ensure continuation of trade and industrial policy and for this purpose a long term framework has been chalked out.

The premier said Pakistan Expo provides an excellent platform to the Pakistani investors to showcase their quality products. He said the presence of international investors at the expo also reflects their confidence on the economy of the country.

Earlier, upon his arrival at Karachi Airport, Sharif was greeted by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.

Expo Pakistan is the biggest trade fair in Pakistan, showcasing the largest collection of Pakistan’s export merchandise and services.

Foreign exhibitors, from neighbouring countries, also use this platform to launch their products.

The ninth edition of the four-day Expo Pakistan is being organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).

First held in 2005, the last Expo Pakistan held in 2013 was highlighted by the participation of a large number of local and foreign buyers who sealed business deals estimated at US$1 billion, compared to deals estimated at US$690 million the year before, according to the ExpoPakistan website.