I am writing this piece from the Swiss Heidi Hotel following the conclusion of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which ended yesterday in Davos, Switzerland. Before delving into the proceedings and takeaways of this prestigious conference, I feel compelled to share the story of the little girl Heidi, after whom this hotel is named.
A lady who served dinner at the hotel shared this enchanting tale:
Two village sisters, Dete and Adelheid, befriended Tobias. Adelheid and Tobias married and had a daughter, Heidi. Tragically, Tobias died in an accident, and Adelheid succumbed to shock. Heidi’s grandfather, the Alm-Uncle, grew bitter and blamed God. Afterward, Heidi was raised by her grandmother and Dete in Maienfeld. When Heidi was only five, her grandmother passed away, and Dete, needing work, left the young girl with the reluctant Alm-Uncle. Initially resentful, the Alm-Uncle was eventually softened by Heidi’s bright and loving nature. One morning, as the sun cast its rays on a snow-covered peak, Heidi marvelled, thinking the mountain was on fire. Later, she befriended Peter, the goatherd, his mother, and his blind grandmother, although the Alm-Uncle refused to let her attend school.
Three years later, Dete took Heidi to Frankfurt to act as a companion for Klara Sesemann, a wealthy, disabled girl. Despite the strict disapproval of housekeeper Fräulein Rottenmeier, Heidi formed a deep bond with Klara. Overcome with homesickness, Heidi fell ill and eventually returned to the Alps, where her faith inspired her grandfather to reconcile with God. Later, Klara visited Heidi, and the mountain air helped her regain her strength. Encouraged by her time in the Alps, Klara even learned to walk.
The people of Maienfeld cherish this local legend and love sharing it with guests at the Heidi Hotel. They follow the Christian faith to the spirit that most of them don’t work on Sundays. The village of Maienfeld looked quite deserted on Sunday afternoon, as I went out for a stroll.
Davos is just over an hour’s drive from Maienfeld, or slightly faster by train.
Pakistan must stop linking investment with security. The more you talk about it, the more it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy
This year’s WEF theme was “geopolitical shocks, stimulating growth to improve living standards, and stewarding a just and inclusive energy transition.” World leaders also addressed pressing global and regional challenges, including the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). Much of the discussion revolved around how AI is reshaping fields traditionally dominated by the human mind. Some events were invitation-only, while others were open to all.
The cultural diversity at Davos was remarkable, but the local culture was equally inspiring. This was evident in the courteous service provided by the sales staff at local shops. At a Swiss souvenir shop on Davos’s main street, I purchased a Swiss Army knife for my son, who spoke to the sales assistant via a video call, who patiently showcased various options. The sales assistant shared that she had 30 cows in her village, and she produced cheese in the snow-covered mountains. The next day, she brought the cheese, which my son had asked for.
Thanks to the timing of Trump’s inauguration, I had some free time on the first day of the conference to explore the area and shops.
Pavilions at Davos, representing nations from across the globe, were established; however, Pakistan’s official presence was notably absent. Nevertheless, the Pathfinder Group from Karachi, under the leadership of Mr Ikram Sehgal, facilitated the independent participation of Pakistani companies and entrepreneurs.
The first event, titled “Inspiring Pakistan Lunch: Pakistan Under the Sun”, was held at the Schatzalp Restaurant Promenade, a mountaintop venue in Davos. It was attended by dignitaries from Pakistan, Europe, and the United States.
Subsequent events over the next three days took place at the Posthotel Morosani, Promenade, and Davos Platz. These were attended by Pakistan’s finance minister, Muhammad Auregngzeb; the chief minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti; former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi; former caretaker prime minister Anwarul Haq Kakar; and former finance minister Miftah Ismail. Also in attendance were European diplomats, business leaders, and Olivier Schwab, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF); Ms Kelly Ommundsen, Head of WEF’s “Digital Inclusion” initiative and a member of the WEF Executive Committee; among others.
Pakistan’s leadership consistently fails to secure investment at such forums. They appear unprepared, lacking in substantial plans or agendas, doing little more than delivering speeches, socialising, and then returning home
The key takeaway from these events was an understanding of what foreign investors are seeking: electricity priced at 3–4 cents per unit, low-cost skilled labour, and a business environment free from bureaucratic red tape. The two former prime ministers spoke at length about Pakistan's vast potential in the tourism sector, while Miftah Ismail focused his remarks on designing an economic roadmap to attract investment. Senator Auregngzeb, the finance minister, insisted that the country does not require additional plans but rather a decisive action based on existing frameworks. However, conspicuously absent from the discussions—both by former and current ministers—was an acknowledgment of Pakistan's readiness in terms of energy costs, availability of skilled labour, and the creation of a truly business-friendly environment.
Adam Weinstein, Deputy Director of the Middle East Programme at the Quincy Institute, offered a key piece of advice to the Pakistani ministers: don’t talk about the ‘potential’ Pakistan has; talk about what you can offer now! On another occasion, he emphasised that Pakistan must stop linking investment with security. The more you talk about it, the more it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Michael Kugelman, Director of the South Asia Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, in an interview with me for Federal Post, stated that Pakistan must learn to find solutions to its problems independently. According to him, Pakistan’s geography is both an asset and a liability: an asset as a gateway to the Middle East and Central Asia, but a liability due to the ongoing wars along its western borders.
Furthermore, Pakistan faces a complex set of crises: a strained political environment, severe and persistent economic challenges, rising terrorism, and environmental issues. Adding to these problems is a profound sense of cynicism and skepticism among the public towards their leaders and institutions, which stands out as one of the country’s most significant challenges. This reflects what could be seen as a broken social contract, with many members of society expressing dissatisfaction with governance and the state of authority—not necessarily with the current leadership, but with the broader political elite of Pakistan.
The event left me with a clearer understanding of why Pakistan’s leadership consistently fails to secure investment at such forums. They appear unprepared, lacking in substantial plans or agendas, doing little more than delivering speeches, socialising, and then returning home.