It was easy because the military allowed it to happen. In Pakistan nothing happens without the approval of military generals. The Pakistani generals think that they are the ultimate authority with regards to political matters. You are absolutely correct.
2023 Pakistan Civil Unrest
- Thread starter luosifen
- Start date
It was easy because the military allowed it to happen. In Pakistan nothing happens without the approval of military generals. The Pakistani generals think that they are the ultimate authority with regards to political matters. You are absolutely correct.
In Pakistan political parties despise each other. The military also likes to politically interfere. The Americans have figured out that the only way to control Pakistan is through the military. The Americans have controlled much of the political proceedings throughout Pakistan's existence with the help of the Pakistani army.
For much of the past decade the Pakistani military and the US have been at loggerheads during the war in Afghanistan. Although the Pakistani military always holds a soft spot for the Americans. You have to realise that many highly placed Pakistani military officials receive training in the US. There are military exchange programs between the US and Pakistan. Many Pakistani military officers retire in the US. Many relatives and family members belonging to Pakistani military officers reside in the US. Pakistani military officials and Pakistani elites have businesses in the US. You can understand the conflict of interest.
As soon as the the US/NATO war in Afghanistan ended, the Americans realised that the only way to leverage Afghanistan would be through the Pakistani military. The CIA began to rebuild covert relations with the Pakistani army. Imran Khan was ousted. It is no secret that the US disapproved Imran Khan's way of politics.
China has sincere intentions with regards to Pakistan. The Pakistani people overwhelmingly support Chinese investment and assistance in Pakistan. China is a direct neighbor of Pakistan. Pakistan is unfortunately unable to reap the full benefits of a rising China. One would have thought that after all the misfortunes Pakistan would finally learn from mistakes. Unfortunately Pakistan has not learnt. Mostly because the Pakistani elite are unreliable and untrustworthy.
China has already invested a vast amount of money in Pakistan. It would be wise for China to stay the course, but cautiously.
Don't also forget that it is in US/Indian interest to disturb the relationship between China and Pakistan. It is no secret that the US/India are vehemently opposed to China Pakistan relations in any shape or form.
It makes absolute sense from a US/Indian perspective to destabilize Pakistan economically and politically. That would make it difficult for China to develop CPEC. No country can invest in a politically and economically unstable country.
Pakistani elites are in a sense their own enemy.
In hindsight, the US really didn't deliver much other than probably an IMF loan. Pakistan is economically a complete mess. Pakistan heavily relies on remittances from expats in Western countries and workers in the Middle East. Even the remittances have reduced. China and Middle Eastern countries haven't come forward to bailout Pakistan as they used to. This is also very telling. One can assume that traditional allies are also sick and tired of a dysfunctional Pakistani elite.
So in other words Pakistan elites had been coopted by the US, it's the SOP of American hegemony and I wonder why the Chinese haven't follow? it is cheaper by magnitude rather than committing billions on CPEC?
I can't really tell. My gut tells me it is not about China or US, it is about their personal reasons. It just happened to align with US interest this time.
Imran Khan is getting too popular for military junta's comfort. They removed Imran because some of his policy and orientation is unconductive of elite's interests, not that they prefer US over China in particular. All US needs is a little bit nudge here and there helping it happen. Most of the drivers are within Pakistan.
Because elites the world over can immigrate their entire families to the US. China doesn’t allow immigrations except in some narrow cases.
Its the same when the US had influence, here Marcos campaign to follow Duterte's independent policy BUT deviate when in office. We all know his family history so did the American, they just pull the lever and wallah!!! a Pro US policy and the American didn't need to spend a dime...lol