Prime Minister Imran Khan instructed the Foreign Office and envoys stationed abroad to carry out efforts for improving the image of Pakistan. He expressed disappointment that "our elite themselves have ruined Pakistan's reputation abroad".

The premier said this on Friday while addressing the concluding session of the two-day Envoys Conference on Economic Diplomacy in Islamabad.

"Nowadays, people think of having pride and self-esteem for Pakistan as a 'laughable' matter, but it is something that is of genuine importance," he said.

"When a nation feels a sense of honour and responsibility towards their country, they are able to achieve things which countries even stronger than them are unable to attain," he impressed upon the audience.

He said Pakistan's current standing presents us with an immense opportunity. "One thing becomes evident that things cannot go on as they are. It can no longer be 'business as usual'," he stressed.

The premier said Pakistan is sorely in need of a change in mindset whereby we shed our "dependency syndrome". He said our previous leadership took decisions not for the benefit of Pakistan and its people but for their own vested interests, whereby, the foremost concern was where aid would come from.

Furthermore, Pakistan is in great need of projecting a positive image, the premier said, coming back to focus on this issue throughout his speech. He regretted that past leaders had gone abroad and painted themselves as progressives while labelling the rest of the nation as "extremists" or "fundamentalists".

Laying special emphasis on overseas Pakistanis whom he termed as "our biggest asset", he instructed ambassadors to realise the fact and ensure their better treatment.

The prime minister said they [overseas Pakistanis] remain our greatest unutilised asset whom we have managed to ward off from investment owing to the countless hurdles they have to face despite the fact they are desirous of investing in Pakistan.

He said special lists should be developed for Pakistani entrepreneurs and businessmen competing abroad so we can communicate with them in a better manner. He stressed on the fact that regular contact be maintained with them.

"The more we remain in touch with them [the better we can build trust]...when our board of investment people go abroad, they should invite them to dinners and hold meetings with them."

He also instructed the foreign office to develop compassion and better serve these workers who are toiling abroad in 12-hour shifts, after having left their entire families behind in Pakistan.

"These are special people. The way they work, the country is running because of their blood, sweat and tears. What would we be like without the $19bn we receive due to their hardwork," the prime minister said.

"Please see to it that they are given assistance. Develop communities of Pakistanis there who could help these people," he instructed the foreign office.

He said that ambassadors do not meet with these people considering them as "working class" and later complain that "these workers break this law or that".

"When you don't help them or take care of them when they are already facing a lot of difficulties..[then what else will they do]?" the premier said in exasperation.

The premier said these very workers will play a special role when we fix our systems and have them come to Pakistan to work, owing to the fact that they would have acquired special skills abroad.

The premier also stressed upon the fact that new avenues need to be developed for exports.

"Please be in touch with BOI to see what we can export. We don't have trade with Africa, an emerging economy, and Latin America. Go there and develop a report," he said speaking directly to Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's representative to the United Nations.

"We don't currently have the level of expertise to penetrate Europe so Africa presents us with a better chance."

The prime minister also urged the envoys to play their role in keeping a check on money laundering, reiterating the government's commitment to eradicate the plague of corruption.