Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's name was not on the list of speakers at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, which concluded on Friday but the Foreign Office insisted that his participation at the forum was significant in many ways.

The Prime Minister, who travelled to Switzerland to participate in the WEF annual meeting from January 17 to 20, 2017, has now reached London and is scheduled to return to Islamabad on January 24, 2017.

The Prime Minister, who travelled to Switzerland to participate in the WEF annual meeting from January 17 to 20, 2017, has now reached London and is scheduled to return to Islamabad on January 24, 2017.

The Prime Minister, who travelled to Switzerland to participate in the WEF annual meeting from January 17 to 20, 2017, has now reached London and is scheduled to return to Islamabad on January 24, 2017.

While talking to Business Recorder, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria insisted that the pattern of the forum was different and it was not necessary for heads of state/government to address any of WEF's numerous sessions. "The Prime Minister, like other heads of state/government, was attending the forum and he [Nawaz Sharif] took active part in all sessions whether these were related to trade and economy or anything else", he contended.

"The Prime Minister, like other heads of state/government, was attending the forum and he [Nawaz Sharif] took active part in all sessions whether these were related to trade and economy or anything else", he contended.

The official website of the World Economic Forum shows that various world leaders including British Prime Minister Theresa May, the outgoing US vice president Joseph R. Biden, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and vice president of Nigeria Yemi Osinbajo were among several prominent speakers who addressed various sessions of the forum. Chinese President Xi Jinping was among the speakers at the opening plenary session of the forum.

Former chief of army staff General Raheel Sharif (Retd) was one of the speakers at a WEF session titled "terrorism in the digital age" and the topic of discussion: "fragmented struggles against al Qaeda, Daesh and Boko Haram; responsible leadership in international security and resilience to the global network".

The two-time Oscar-winning Pakistani director and filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy was also a key speaker in one of the sessions along with renowned Indian filmmaker Karan Johar.

On Thursday, the Foreign Office spokesperson in his weekly media briefing said that this year's participation of Pakistan at WEF is significant in many ways, "The world's political and business leaders have, warmly welcomed democratically strengthening, and economically rising Pakistan. Pakistan's progress has been noted, lauded and evinced interest of countries, businessmen and investors," he added.

The Prime Minister, however, had the opportunity to meet the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Norway Erna Solberg, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and renowned American businessman Bill Gates, besides addressing business leaders on the sidelines of the forum.

According to a PM House press release, the Prime Minister also met prominent CEOs at round table meeting that included Tadashi Maeda, Chief Executive Officer & Executive Managing Director, Japan Bank for International Co-operation, Tokyo, Japan; Ilele Gordon, Chief Executive Officer & Chairman, Ingredion Incorporated, USA; Levent Cakiroglu, Chief Executive Officer, Koc Holding, Turkey; Sigve Brekke, President & Chief Executive Officer, Telenor Group, Norway; Wang Ling, Executive Vice President, Nestle; Petra Lox, Head Public Affairs, Novartis AG, Switzerland; and Martyn Parker, Chairman, Global Partnerships, Swiss Re Management Ltd United Kingdom, Western Europe.

Over 3200 heads of state/government, public figures, top business leaders, academics and media leaders participated in the WEF Annual Meeting 2017. The theme for the 2017 WEF Annual Meeting is "Responsive and Responsible Leadership". The World Economic Forum annual meeting provides an unparalleled platform to discuss wide ranging economic and political issues.