Pakistan's Sharif, Munir Pitch Nation to US, Azerbaijan Amid Economic Strain at Davos

• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, signaling renewed diplomatic activism.
• Their joint appearance reinforced perceptions of the military's strong influence on Pakistan's foreign policy, even in economic forums.
• Meetings included US Senator Marco Rubio, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev, and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.
• The outreach is seen as an attempt to reassure Washington and seek economic/political cover amidst domestic and international pressure over Pakistan's alignment with the Trump administration on Gaza.
• Pakistan's growing proximity to Azerbaijan is being watched by New Delhi, as Baku has become a platform for anti-India narratives, including the Khalistan issue.

Why It Matters: Pakistan's leadership sought foreign investment and diplomatic relevance at Davos, but underlying economic and governance issues persist.