PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir meet US state secretary in busy Davos engagements

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held cordial and informal interactions with several world leaders, including United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum’s 56th Annual Meeting in Davos on Thursday.

The prime minister and the chief of the army staff, who are in Switzerland to attend the annual global gathering, exchanged warm greetings with senior international figures, including Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

Read: PM Shehbaz arrives in Switzerland for WEF Annual Meeting

The two also attended a special address delivered by United States President Donald Trump during the forum.

PM Shehbaz arrived in Switzerland on Tuesday to participate in the WEF annual meeting. During his stay, he met the managing director of the International Monetary Fund and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders, focusing on global economic challenges, regional stability and Pakistan’s reform agenda.

The premier was among the world leaders who signed the founding charter of the Trump’s newly launched “Board of Peace” during a ceremony held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Read More: Pakistan accepts Trump’s invitation to join ‘Board of Peace’

The initiative, initially focused on supporting the Gaza ceasefire, has been presented by Trump as a platform that could take on a broader global role. “Once this board is completely formed, we can do pretty much whatever we want to do, and we’ll do it in conjunction with the United Nations,” Trump said, while stressing that the UN’s potential had not been fully utilised.

Pakistan’s participation drew attention at the ceremony, with state broadcaster PTV News reporting an interaction in which Prime Minister Shehbaz pointed out the field marshal’s presence to President Trump in the audience.

According to the broadcaster, Trump acknowledged the field marshal with a smile.

Deputy PM and FM Ishaq Dar also attended the signing, as Pakistan joined around 35 countries that have committed to the board, even as several major powers and traditional US allies adopted a cautious stance or declined to participate.

The prime minister, FM Dar and the field marshal later met Turkish FM Hakan Fidan to conclude their official engagements and leave Davos.