ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The federal government has strongly rejected the news about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif being barred from addressing the 47th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, and said that it is based on fictitious information.
Earlier on Wednesday, the daily newspaper ‘Daily Times’ published a report according to which the prime minster ‘failed to address any important forum (in Davos) because he was not allowed by the WEF management to address any function’ for his alleged involvement in massive corruption and an ongoing investigation into it in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
However, the government spokesperson on Thursday strongly rebutted the ‘Daily Times’ news and said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was officially invited by Executive Chairman Professor Klaus Schwab to the WEF Conference in Davos, Switzerland.
The spokesperson said that the prime minister held highly productive meetings at Davos and the news about barring him from any forum is not correct and is based on fictitious information.
Taking note of the ‘Daily Times’ baseless news item, the World Economic Forum (WEF) also sent a letter to the daily newspaper which is as follows:
“The Forum is happy to confirm that Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the Honble Prime Minister of Pakistan, participated in the Annual Meeting 2017 in Davos-Klosters from 17-20 January.
The Prime Minister was invited by the World Economic Forum and his agenda was prepared in consultation with his office, keeping in mind their objectives and key priorities. This schedule included several meetings with key leaders from business and politics.
As the sixth largest country in the world, Pakistan is an important global player and the World Economic Forum looks forward to engaging the country in its system initiatives and projects through public-private cooperation.”
The government spokesperson further said that the prime minister held meeting with the Executive Chairman WEF Klaus Schwab during which Pakistan’s economic growth and investment potential were acknowledged.
The spokesperson said that the prime minister held several meetings at WEF with world leaders and top executives from leading international companies including CEO of VimpelCom, Procter & Gamble, Mr. Jack Ma, President of Swiss Confederation, Prime Ministers of Sweden, Norway and Sri Lanka for publicizing Pakistan’s investment friendly environment and the tremendous investment opportunities Pakistan offers.
Moreover, the prime minister also held meetings with Bill Gates on polio eradication from Pakistan and a group of top executives from leading Telecom companies. He also held meeting with the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and effectively used the World Economic Forum to high light the Kashmir cause.
