2023 Pakistan Civil Unrest
- Thread starter luosifen
- Start date
A US-instigated coup that the military took active part in, thinking that daddy US would bail out Pakistan with IMF.
As we can all see, it blew up in their faces. With the coup complete, Pakistan's economy and exports tanked, their currency has about halved in value (compared to US dollars).
To sum up, giving control of your intelligence agency to the military has been a gigantic mistake, which is actually funny in its own way because any casual reading of world history would have told them that.
China sincerely wants to develop Pakistan but their military wants to keep some balance with US relations even after everything the US has done against Pakistan
IK's arrest has been expected, I am actually surprised it took them that long. He was the first Pakistan leader in decades who finally started showing results on economic development. Not empty rhetoric but actual results. Of course the treasonous military couldn't handle that and his foreign policy so they couped him with daddy US' blessing. As a result, we can all see what happened with Pakistan now
Its a sad story for Pakistan people. First time in decades they had some hope that Pakistan was developing, and that hope was extinguished by their "protectors", the military. Quite ironic, if I may say
Pakistan's economy is in a very bad shape right now especially after the flood and mismanagement. It is the worst time to do a coup against a popular PM. Not sure if anyone has a clear road to off ramp. Doesn't look like anyone cares about the country but instead trying desperately to retain powers in whatever way possible.
I am not sure why the US gives out a tactic support of the coup as even with a new PM or military takeover wouldn't change too much of Pakistan's political landscape. If it is due to the fact that PM Imran Khan paid a visit to Russia to secure cheap oil, then the US is just too over the top for taking down a government and causing a meltdown in a nation just for a petty feud.
I am not sure why the US gives out a tactic support of the coup as even with a new PM or military takeover wouldn't change too much of Pakistan's political landscape. If it is due to the fact that PM Imran Khan paid a visit to Russia to secure cheap oil, then the US is just too over the top for taking down a government and causing a meltdown in a nation just for a petty feud.
China wants Pakistan to develop for BRI, as a key BRI node, and to counter India.
Its very easy to see why the US would love to spoil China's plans
If you can disrupt your rival's plans you do it. No ifs or buts
You underestimate nations like Pakistan's capacity to generate self-harming political drama. I would suggest reading on Sudan for example. Total sh*tshow that has nothing to do with foreigners.
The US hand was behind the scenes. I don't blame it all to the US though. They "encouraged" it, and so the local snakes (military, political opposition) found the courage to coup him.
The US didn't dirty its hands directly, it just said a couple of sweet words, promised some stuff, and let the local interests to do the rest.
All things considered, that was a quite easy and hassle-free coup that the US instigated/encouraged.
I never really have a high hope for BRI in Pakistan or should I say CPEC. Pakistan is too unstable for long term projects and development. Imran Khan initally didn't fully embrace CPEC which has slowed down many projects for years. After he restarted those projects and finally committed to CPEC, the coup happened.
Although the military government and the new administration have fully embraced CPEC. Pakistan is on brink of a major catastrophe that would make further investment very risky for China.
However, BRI is a very long term projects that requires decades to bear fruits. Any derailing or setback isn't going to fundamentally change things on the ground forever. Trade is still booming with most BRI nations even without the interconnect routes that got delayed due to politics. As long as China has Russia in the North and ASEAN in the south, BRI might not be as vital for China in the short term.
However, it is just sad to see how easy for the US to destabilize Pakistan. US is not even trying but all those Pakistan politicians and military establishment felt that they would make a coup without any consequences with the US blessing.
The US didn't do anything serious. It just gave some empty promises, said some good words, and that's what it all took for the coup to happen. Its hilarious and pathetic at the same time to witness how easy it was for the US to disrupt them.
Same. In theory every country in the world is suitable for BRI. In practise though, the problems start with politics. Do they have a stable political system? Even if your bureaucracy is shit, even if your laws are shit, if your political system is stable China can use trade as a way for local businesses to lobby for better laws or better regulations to smooth business, investment and trade links with China.
That's how normal politics work. You have local interests lobbying for their own benefits
The problem on Pakistan is that due to their intelligence agency being under military control lol, the military is basically the leader of the country, has firm control on politics, and they can easily ignore civilian and business pressure. Local interests have to go to the military first and not to the civilian government to argue their case. And what does the military know about economics and business? Nothing!
Which is partly why Pakistan's economy is what it is today.
Unless a major systemic change happens, I don't see much hope with Pakistan. China can invest all it wants in CPEC but if the military leadesrhip coups and destroys Pakistan's economy every decade or so, it won't do much.