Pakistan PM to attend World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland next month

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 28, 2024. (Reuters/ file)
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Updated 29 December 2025
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Pakistan PM to attend World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland next month

  • The WEF meeting, scheduled to be held in Davos on Jan. 19-23, will focus on global challenges, public-private dialogue and cooperation
  • Government, business, civil society and academia leaders will engage in forward-looking discussions to address these issues, set priorities

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Switzerland next month to attend the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistani state media reported on Monday.

The WEF annual meeting, themed as ‘A Spirit of Dialogue,’ will be held from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23 in Davos, where world leaders from government, business, civil society and academia will engage in forward-looking discussions to address global issues and set priorities.

Prime Minister Sharif is expected to interact with global leaders and investors on economic challenges, regional and international issues and various opportunities for cooperation.

On Monday, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting in Islamabad to oversee preparations for Sharif’s upcoming visit to Switzerland to attend the WEF meeting, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.

“Dar instructed to maximize the engagements with the incoming Heads of States, Governments and senior leadership of economic, business and financial institutions,” the report read.

The WEF meeting program will be structured around key global challenges where public-private dialogue and cooperation, involving all stakeholders, is necessary for progress, according to the WEF website.

In addressing these challenges, growth, resilience and innovation will serve as cross-cutting imperatives, guiding how leaders engage with today’s complexity and pursue tomorrow’s opportunities.

Pakistani foreign ministry officials briefed the deputy PM about preparations for the WEF meeting, according to Radio Pakistan. The participants of Monday’s meeting in Islamabad discussed in detail the bilateral component and media engagements during the visit.

“He [Dar] further stressed that opportunities be explored to foster collaboration with private sector business entities,” the state broadcaster said.
 


Pakistan, Saudi Arabia resolve to strengthen economic cooperation during Davos summit 

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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia resolve to strengthen economic cooperation during Davos summit 

  • Pakistan finmin Muhammad Aurangzeb meets Saudi Arabia's Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih 
  • Al-Falih appreciated Pakistan's potential, particularly its natural resources, strategic location, says Pakistan Finance Division

KARACHI: Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih met in Davos this week, resolving to strengthen ongoing bilateral cooperation by working closely together and maintaining high-level contact, Pakistan's Finance Division said. 

Islamabad and Riyadh have moved closer to broaden their cooperation in recent months, signing a landmark defense pact in September 2025 and agreeing to launch an economic cooperation framework a month later to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations. 

Aurangzeb met Al-Falih during the sidelines of the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Davos on Thursday, Pakistan's Finance Division said in a statement. The two sides reviewed ongoing cooperation and reviewed progress on existing and planned projects across various sectors, the statement added. 

"Both sides reiterated their strong resolve to expand bilateral collaboration by working closely together, strengthening institutional linkages and maintaining regular high-level contacts," Pakistan's Finance Division said on Thursday.

"They agreed that sustained engagement and mutual understanding would help translate shared objectives into concrete and mutually beneficial initiatives."

The Finance Division said Al-Falih appreciated Pakistan's importance and potential, particularly its natural resources, strategic location and emerging opportunities for investment.

"The meeting concluded in a positive and forward-looking spirit, with both ministers expressing confidence that closer partnership and continued dialogue would further strengthen economic and investment ties between Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," the statement said. 

The two countries enjoy cordial relations dating back decades and firmly grounded in shared values, culture, faith and economic ties. The Kingdom is home to over two million Pakistani expats, making it the largest source of foreign remittances for cash-strapped Pakistan. 

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed 34 business agreements worth $2.8 billion across multiple sectors in 2024, further strengthening their economic cooperation. 

Riyadh has also bailed Pakistan frequently out of economic crises over the years, providing it crucial loans and oil on deferred payment basis.