The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos is not just a gathering of world leaders, business executives, civil society members and policymakers—it is a platform where narratives are shaped, alliances are forged, and investment opportunities are explored. As is traditional for the last 21 years, the Pakistan Pavilion, organized by Pathfinder Group, provided an avenue to showcase the country’s potential, with an emphasis on Balochistan as a gateway to regional connectivity and economic growth. Providing a comprehensive outlook on investment, digital transformation, and regional connectivity, the Pakistan Pavilion hosted a series of insightful discussions, including “Inspiring Pakistan”, “the Pakistan Breakfast”, “Investment in Pakistan”, “the Balochistan Breakfast” and Digital Pakistan Lunch. I am grateful to all the speakers, in particular international scholars like Michael Kugelman, Adam Weinstein, businessmen like my old friend Dr Urs Lustenberger (SwissCham Asia) and who recognized Pakistan’s potential and advocate for moving beyond isolated verticals toward a more holistic approach. They admired Pakistan as a resilient country with Pakistanis adept in dealing with polycrisis and finding their way through political changes, security challenges and geopolitical changes. Olivier Schwab, Alexandre Raffoul and Kelly Ommundsen from the WEF appreciated our efforts in digital and financial inclusion. I agree with Olivier that public-private partnerships can change the economic development dynamics. WEF efforts guided by the genius of the Founder and Chairman Dr Klaus Schwab is indeed commendable in bringing together leaders from business, government, academia, and civil society for over 50 years here in Davos. In this era of the Intelligent Age, where technologies are converging from AI to sensors to synthetic biology to Quantum Computing, and evolving exponentially, we must ensure that the development of these technologies benefits society and humanity as a whole.
I would also like to profusely thank WEF’s team Aditi Vyas, Geetu George, Parv Bansal, Satyaki Dhar and Pritika Kumar for their great support to us not only in Davos 2025 but all the year around for many years. The first event of the Pakistan Pavilion was the “Inspiring Pakistan Lunch” at the Schatzalp on Tuesday 21 Jan. Moderated by Dr Huma Baqai, it had a galaxy of speakers included besides Michael Kugelman and Adam Weinstein, Habib Paracha (Founder & CEO, Centurion Entertainment), Syed Qassim Naveed Qamar from Sindh Investment Department, Nadira Panjwani (Chairperson of Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR)), Dr Huma Baqai (Vice-chairperson of KCFR and Rector of MITE), Dr Urs Lustenberger as well as from the US Dr S. Irfan Ali and Hassan Sharif Khan. Their insights reinforced the need for a unified digital strategy, investment in AI data centres, and Special Technology Zones (STZs) to drive digital exports. They eloquently highlighted Pakistan’s potential, particularly its youth, which makes up 70% of the population and has the power to transform the country’s economy.
For the Pakistan Breakfast the distinguished speakers from Pakistan included Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former prime minister of Pakistan, Miftah Ismail (former finance minister) and Ross Perot Jr, Chairman Perot Group of Companies, Ross’s participation was extremely important as he was a member of the US President Trump Transition team and has been elected as the US Chamber of Commerce new Vice Chairman of the Board. A particularly meaningful and impactful aspect this year was Balochistan province’s representation in Davos. The Pavilion was strengthened by the presence of the Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti and former Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, underscoring a unified vision to position Balochistan as a regional hub for trade and energy corridors.
I deeply appreciate Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of Finance & Revenue, sharing his views on digital economy and financial inclusion in the “Investment in Pakistan” Lunch emphasizing Pakistan’s need to transition away from cash dependency, describing it as a “War on Cash” that requires bold policy reforms. The Pathfinder Group has been a key player in advancing financial inclusion, particularly through its Asaan Mobile Account (AMA) scheme in Pakistan. This initiative has successfully provided financial access to impoverished and vulnerable communities, catalyzing financial inclusion with over 12 million accounts opened in just a few years. The AMA scheme exemplifies a multi-stakeholder approach, involving collaboration with industries, regulators, and partners. We have achieved a milestone despite some challenges related to agent interoperability. Pathfinder (VRG) has developed a homemade digital switch, entirely built with Pakistani software and expertise, reflecting a commitment to local innovation and self-reliance in financial technology. Balochistan’s potential has long been acknowledged, yet its development remains hindered by bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of strategic vision. The Province consists of 44% of Pakistan’s land mass and has enormous natural resources, especially copper and gold reserves. The stalled Reko Diq-Gwadar railway project and unfulfilled coastal tourism ventures are just two examples of missed opportunities. However, investors’ interest from Europe and Hong Kong in the province’s mineral wealth and 1,000-km coastline signals hope. Balochistan’s transformation is not just a provincial issue – it is a national imperative. It demands: policy continuity to attract foreign investment, decisive action on infrastructure projects like Reko Diq and Gwadar, and empowerment of youth through digital education and innovation. While regional connectivity remains a goal, Pakistan must safeguard its sovereignty. My stance is clear: Pakistan must decouple from India economically until a fair and equitable relationship is possible. At the same time, our partnerships with China, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Gulf region must be leveraged to expand agriculture, minerals, and energy exports.
A key takeaway from Davos was education as a catalyst for change. Mir Sarfaraz Bugti’s emphasis on expanding quality education in Balochistan resonated with global investors, reinforcing the need for good education institutions. As I have observed over the years, Baloch students, when given the opportunity, excel academically and professionally. Institutions such as Lawrence College (of which Mir Sarfaraz Bugti was a student), Jajja Cadet College, and Cadet College Hassan Abdal have produced outstanding individuals from Balochistan.
For decades, my engagement at the WEF—supported by my wife Shahnaz and son Zarrar—has been driven by a singular objective: to promote Pakistan’s image and our representation in the global economic discussions. The Pakistan Pavilion at Davos has laid the groundwork, but the real challenge is its implementation. Balochistan is not just Pakistan’s gateway to the world; it is the heart of Pakistan’s next phase of economic growth.” It is the responsibility of policymakers, businessmen, and citizens alike to ensure that Balochistan’s deserts and coastlines become symbols of prosperity, not lost potential.
