Endless wait for a miracle

Pakistan marked its 79th Independence Day with a familiar blend of national pride and cautious optimism, a sentiment largely fueled by the recent Makkah Joint Defence Agreement. Citizens are once again looking outward, hoping this new geopolitical initiative will bring much-needed relief, foreign investment, oil on deferred payments, and employment opportunities in the Gulf.

The enthusiasm mirrors the hope Pakistanis once placed in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) over a decade ago. While CPEC was conceived as an economic connectivity project and the Makkah Agreement is primarily geopolitical, the public perception in both instances has been one of potential salvation. Streets were adorned with flags and leaders' pictures, creating an impression that these partnerships were poised to transform Pakistan's economic destiny.

However, the article critiques a long-standing pattern within Pakistan's power elite: a recurring reliance on external partnerships for national transformation. This habit dates back to the country's inception, with early hopes pinned on alliances with the US, SEATO, and CENTO. Despite repeated disappointments, the elite has consistently embraced new partnerships, from the US and Western alliances to China, CPEC, and now the security architecture involving Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

While acknowledging that CPEC has delivered important infrastructure and energy projects, the article notes that the promised economic transformation remains incomplete. Pakistan continues to grapple with significant challenges, including debt, inadequate exports, weak productivity, and recurring economic instability. This historical context suggests that the Makkah Agreement, while generating current hope, may face similar hurdles in delivering the profound change many Pakistanis are waiting for.