Davos (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – 21 January 2026 –
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has commenced his World Economic
Forum engagements in Davos by holding a meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister
Mohammad Shtayyeh. The leaders discussed bilateral cooperation, regional
stability and support for Palestinian statehood aspirations. The encounter
forms part of Sharif’s packed schedule at the annual gathering of global
leaders, focusing on economic recovery, climate action and diplomatic outreach.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Davos on Monday for
the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, where heads of government, business
executives and international organisation leaders convene to address pressing
global challenges. His first formal bilateral engagement involved a discussion
with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on the sidelines of the
forum’s opening sessions. The meeting covered topics such as economic
development in the Palestinian territories, humanitarian assistance and
Pakistan’s longstanding support for a two-state solution to the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Shehbaz Sharif’s Davos schedule emphasises diplomatic priorities
Credit: AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images
Sharif’s office released a readout stating that the leaders
exchanged views on the current situation in the Middle East and explored
avenues for enhanced Pakistan-Palestinian collaboration. Prime Minister
Shtayyeh expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s consistent diplomatic backing at
the United Nations and other international forums. The two sides agreed to
maintain regular contact and coordinate positions ahead of upcoming
multilateral meetings.
The Pakistani delegation highlighted Sharif’s intention to
use the Davos platform for a series of bilateral meetings with counterparts
from Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Additional engagements include discussions
with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on trade relations and
climate finance, as well as talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
on regional security cooperation. Sharif is also scheduled to participate in
panel discussions on sustainable development and digital transformation.
Context of Pakistan’s diplomatic presence at World Economic Forum
Pakistan has maintained a regular presence at the World
Economic Forum since its inception, with prime ministers attending periodically
to promote investment opportunities and outline national development
strategies. Shehbaz Sharif’s participation follows his attendance at previous
forums, where he focused on attracting foreign direct investment for
infrastructure projects and export diversification. This year’s agenda aligns
with Pakistan’s economic stabilisation efforts under an International Monetary
Fund programme.
The forum provides a venue for informal diplomacy alongside
formal sessions on global economic outlook and geopolitical risks. Sharif’s
team arranged over a dozen bilateral meetings, reflecting Pakistan’s priorities
in economic diplomacy, energy security and counter-terrorism cooperation.
Meetings with counterparts from the United Arab Emirates and Turkey are also
confirmed, covering trade agreements and defence collaboration.
Focus areas of Sharif-Shtayyeh bilateral discussion
Credit: PMO
During their meeting, the two prime ministers addressed
immediate humanitarian needs in Gaza and the West Bank, including medical
supplies and food assistance. Pakistan has provided emergency aid shipments
through Jordan and Egypt in recent months, coordinated with United Nations
agencies. Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to Palestinian
self-determination and called for resumed peace negotiations based on pre-1967
borders.
Prime Minister Shtayyeh outlined challenges facing the
Palestinian Authority, including fiscal constraints and settlement expansion.
The Palestinian side welcomed Pakistan’s advocacy for membership in
international bodies and support during recent United Nations General Assembly
sessions. Both leaders emphasised the importance of unity among Muslim-majority
countries in addressing the Palestinian question.
Pakistan’s longstanding policy on Palestinian issue
Pakistan’s foreign policy has consistently supported
Palestinian statehood since the country’s founding in 1947. Successive
governments have maintained non-recognition of Israel and advocated for a
sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. This position
was reiterated by Sharif during his 2024 address to the United Nations General
Assembly, where he called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Diplomatic engagements with Palestinian leadership form a
regular component of Pakistani prime ministerial travel. Previous meetings
between Sharif and Shtayyeh occurred on the margins of the United Nations
General Assembly and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation summits. These
discussions typically cover budgetary support, scholarship programmes for
Palestinian students and technical assistance in public administration.
World Economic Forum 2026 key themes and Pakistani participation
The 2026 Davos meeting centres on themes of rebuilding
trust, advancing equitable growth and addressing fragmentation in global
governance. Over 2,500 participants from 120 countries attend, including 50
heads of state and government. Pakistan’s delegation includes Finance Minister
Muhammad Aurangzeb and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who are engaging on debt
restructuring and climate adaptation financing.
Sharif is set to deliver a special address on Pakistan’s
economic reforms and flood recovery efforts following the 2022 disasters. The
forum features sessions on artificial intelligence governance, energy
transitions and supply chain resilience, areas where Pakistan seeks
international partnerships. Bilateral meetings also target investment in
renewable energy projects and textile sector modernisation.
Regional dynamics influencing Pakistan’s Davos diplomacy
Sharif’s Davos engagements occur amid evolving regional
relationships, including strengthened ties with Saudi Arabia and the United
Arab Emirates through investment frameworks. Discussions with Gulf Cooperation
Council leaders focus on rolling over deposit facilities and joint ventures in
agriculture and minerals. The Palestinian meeting underscores continuity in
Pakistan’s principled stance on core foreign policy issues.
Relations with European partners emphasise compliance with
Financial Action Task Force standards and green investment criteria. Meetings
with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron address
skilled labour mobility and defence equipment procurement. These engagements
build on the Strategic Dialogue framework established during Sharif’s 2024
European tour.
Broader Middle East component of Sharif’s itinerary
Beyond the Palestinian meeting, Sharif’s Middle East-focused
diplomacy includes sessions with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Qatari Emir
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Topics cover mediation efforts in regional
conflicts and pilgrimage facilitation arrangements. Pakistan maintains observer
status in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, where coordination with
Palestinian representatives occurs regularly.
The prime minister’s office indicated that discussions with
Shtayyeh also touched on upcoming Arab League summits and coordination for the
March 2026 Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Council of Foreign Ministers
meeting. Pakistan chairs the bloc’s Economic Cooperation Committee, providing
additional platforms for Palestine-focused initiatives.
Economic dimensions of Pakistan’s World Economic Forum participation
Davos serves as a marketplace for investment promotion, with
Pakistan showcasing opportunities in information technology, mining and
logistics. The Board of Investment organised a dedicated pavilion highlighting
special economic zones and tax incentives. Sharif’s meetings with global chief
executives from technology and energy sectors aim to secure commitments for
joint ventures.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb is leading discussions on climate
finance, seeking grants and concessional loans for adaptation projects.
Pakistan’s vulnerability to extreme weather events positions the country as a
priority for multilateral development banks attending the forum. Special envoy
for climate change Romina Khurshid Alam participates in sessions on loss and
damage mechanisms.
Follow-up mechanisms from Sharif’s bilateral engagements
Credit: PPI
Readouts from Sharif’s office confirm that memorandums of understanding on technical cooperation will follow several Davos meetings. The Palestinian discussion identified priority areas for capacity-building in customs administration and vocational training. Follow-up coordination will occur through respective foreign ministries and Pakistani embassies in the region.
Pakistan’s diplomatic calendar post-Davos
includes participation in the Munich Security Conference and G20
development working group meetings. The prime minister’s engagements lay
groundwork for these forums, particularly on counter-terrorism financing and
regional connectivity initiatives. Official briefings will provide updates on
outcomes as agreements are formalised.