RIYADH (The Thursday Times) — Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif landed in Riyadh today to participate in a pivotal two-day conference of the World Economic Forum (WEF). Scheduled for April 28-29, the forum will discuss themes of global collaboration, growth, and energy strategies and will take place in Saudi Arabia’s capital.
The invitation to attend this significant event was extended to Prime Minister Sharif by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Professor Klaus Schwab, the Executive Chairman of the WEF. Upon arrival, an official statement from Islamabad announced, “Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh.”
At Riyadh’s Royal Airport, the welcoming party included His Highness Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Aziz, the Deputy Governor of the Riyadh Region, the Ambassador of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia, and other diplomatic staff.
Before his departure, the PM’s office revealed that Sharif was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included the Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. During the forum, the Pakistani delegation, led by Prime Minister Sharif, is set to engage in discussions focusing on a range of critical issues including trade and investment measures, the introduction of new investment frameworks, restructuring of supply chains, achieving sustainable growth, and the broader energy landscape.
The forum will also provide Pakistan an invaluable platform to highlight its strategic priorities, which include enhancing the global health infrastructure, fostering inclusive growth, revitalising regional collaborations, and addressing the crucial balance between promoting economic growth and managing energy consumption effectively.
Moreover, the official statement noted that on the fringes of the main event, Prime Minister Sharif and his team are scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with various world leaders. This includes interactions with the Saudi leadership, heads of international organisations, and other prominent figures attending the forum.
Following his commitments in Riyadh, Prime Minister Sharif will also attend the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference, organised by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This event is set to take place on May 4-5 in Banjul, the capital of Gambia. Here, a range of regional and global issues will be addressed, including the state of Palestine, Islamophobia, climate change, and the status of minorities. According to a press release from the OIC General Secretariat, the session will be conducted under the theme “Enhancing Unity and Solidarity through Dialogue for Sustainable Development.” The summit, as a principal organ of the OIC, plays a critical role in the formulation, development, and implementation of policies decided by the member states’ leaders, including prime ministers, presidents, emirs, and other equivalent heads of state.
