PM Shehbaz, CDF Munir hold meetings on sidelines of World Economic Forum

Published January 22, 2026
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 22. — Screengrab via X/@PTVNewsOfficial
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 22. — Screengrab via X/@PTVNewsOfficial
Prime Minister Shehbaz and CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir are with security staff. — Screengrab via @PTVNewsOfficial/ X
Prime Minister Shehbaz and CDF Field Marshal Asim Munir are with security staff. — Screengrab via @PTVNewsOfficial/ X

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Thursday held informal meetings with various world leaders on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

The two met with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

PM Shehbaz and Field Marshal Munir also attended US President Donald Trump’s address to world leaders at the WEF held on Wednesday.

Field Marshal Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the WEF, just before the signing ceremony for the Board of Peace Charter.

In a post on X, Dar said he and the field marshal met Fidan moments before the ceremony, writing, “Pakistani and Turkish nations share a strong bond which has stood the test of time and is cherished deeply by both nations.”

The premier is on a three-day visit to the Swiss town (from January 20-22), and is leading a high-level delegation.

On Wednesday, the prime minister had addressed a breakfast event at the Pakistan Pavilion on the sidelines of the WEF in Davos. In the address, he said that export-led growth was the only way forward for Pakistan.

In his remarks, the premier said Pakistan “is moving forward with a sense of achievement and a sense of purpose”, noting a drop in the inflation rate and a reduction in the policy rate.

The premier also met International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.

According to the PMO, he briefed Georgieva on the improvement in Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators, stabilisation efforts and progress on institutional reforms.

PM Shehbaz stressed Pakistan’s commitment to fiscal discipline, revenue mobilisation and sustainable development, the statement said.

The prime minister had also met Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa on the sidelines of the WEF.

Opinion

Editorial

PIA’s privatisation
Updated 01 Jul, 2026

PIA’s privatisation

THE management control of PIA has finally been transferred to a consortium comprising private investors and the ...
Rights beyond rulings
01 Jul, 2026

Rights beyond rulings

THE Supreme Court’s recent ruling that jewellery, bridal gifts and dowry articles given to a bride remain her...
Asia left behind
01 Jul, 2026

Asia left behind

ALARMING regression has been witnessed in the Asian teams at the FIFA World Cup. A record nine representatives from...
Resurgent threat
Updated 30 Jun, 2026

Resurgent threat

THE message from Islamabad to Kabul seems to be clear: any act of terrorism inside Pakistan found to be linked to...
Unchecked powers
30 Jun, 2026

Unchecked powers

THERE is little disagreement that Punjab needs stronger tools to combat organised crime, habitual offenders and...
Patriot Pass
30 Jun, 2026

Patriot Pass

IT must be a shared humanity that has bonded the ‘leader of the free world’ so closely with his counterparts in...