Davos: Field Marshal Asim Munir joins PM Sharif, holds meetings with global leaders at WEF

WEB DESK: Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is attending the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) annual meeting in Davos alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a rare instance of a serving military chief participating in the high-profile global forum.

Pakistan’s presence at Davos comes as the government seeks to present the country as economically stable and open for investment, following a series of reforms aimed at reviving growth and restoring investor confidence.

While civilian leaders from Pakistan regularly attend the World Economic Forum, the participation of a serving army chief is uncommon. In the past, former military leaders have addressed the forum either after retiring or while holding civilian office. Former army chief Raheel Sharif appeared at Davos only after stepping down from his post, while General Pervez Musharraf attended the gathering during his tenure as president rather than as head of the army.

In recent years, the military’s role in economic planning has expanded through the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), a joint civil-military body established to streamline and promote foreign investment in key sectors such as energy, minerals, agriculture and information technology.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Sharif and Field Marshal Munir held meetings on the sidelines of the forum with several international leaders, including Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

Officials said discussions focused on enhancing economic cooperation, attracting investment and maintaining close diplomatic engagement with partners in the Middle East, Central Asia and the United States amid changing global economic and strategic dynamics.

The World Economic Forum’s annual meeting brings together heads of government, policymakers, investors and corporate leaders to deliberate on global economic challenges, investment opportunities and geopolitical developments. Although security and stability are part of the broader discussions, Davos is not a military forum, and the attendance of serving military chiefs remains rare, with most military figures appearing in civilian capacities or after retirement.