DAVOS: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the global elite at the World Economic Forum, declared that Pakistan has navigated through difficult circumstances and is now firmly on a path toward economic stability and growth. His comments came during the ‘Pakistan Breakfast’ at the country’s pavilion, a forum aimed at attracting international investment.
Outlining a vision of a resurgent Pakistan, the Prime Minister highlighted key sectors poised for growth. He announced significant new investments in the minerals sector and pointed to encouraging growth in Information Technology and other export-oriented industries. “We are moving fast to increase the exports of the IT sector,” he stated, emphasizing a strategic shift towards a knowledge-based economy.
Crediting the nation’s recent progress to unified governance, Sharif underscored that the successes were a result of “complete coordination between the political and military leadership.” This teamwork, he suggested, has been fundamental in implementing tough reforms and stabilizing the macroeconomic landscape.
The human capital of Pakistan’s youth formed another cornerstone of his address. Sharif detailed several national programs designed to skill and train young Pakistanis, preparing them not only for the domestic market but also for employment opportunities in the Gulf region and beyond. On security, a key concern for investors, he affirmed ongoing cooperation with various nations in counter-terrorism efforts.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister held a crucial meeting with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva. He apprised her of the marked improvement in Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators, a testament to the country’s adherence to a stringent IMF stabilization program. Georgieva responded positively, publicly praising Pakistan’s economic reform efforts, a significant endorsement from the global lender at a critical juncture.
The twin messages in Davos—of internal political unity delivering economic results and the active pursuit of global partnerships—aim to recalibrate Pakistan’s international image from that of a crisis-ridden economy to a nation open for business and on the mend.
