The phrase “iron brotherhood” has long been used to describe the friendship between China and Pakistan, but experts say the relationship must now be built on real work rather than warm words. A warning was raised by former Pakistani ambassador Najm‑us‑Saqib in an opinion piece in The Nation. He argued that the emotional language can create unrealistic expectations and that the partnership needs clear, measurable deliverables as global politics shift.
Pakistan and China share a practical connection. Pakistan sits on a land bridge that gives China a route to the Arabian Sea, most notably through the Gwadar Port. In return, China has poured huge investments into the China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship trade and infrastructure project that is meant to boost Pakistan’s economy and give China a foothold on the Indian Ocean. The corridor also brings advanced technology and weapons to Pakistan and lets Beijing reinforce its influence in the Muslim world and on the global stage.
Despite the progress, CPEC’s first phase revealed hard truths. The project brought new power plants and roads, but it also highlighted Pakistan’s struggle to build a complementary industrial base, bureaucratic delays, and a growing debt problem. With public debt over 70 % of GDP and a tight IMF programme in place, Beijing is now asking for stronger fiscal discipline and better governance. Earlier, generous funding seemed almost automatic, but now China is lining up projects with clearer revenue potential and tighter risk controls.
Security is a growing concern for China. Attacks on Chinese nationals in Pakistan have raised alarms, and Pakistan’s recent outreach to the United States—China’s major strategic rival—has complicated the road ahead. Saqib says Pakistan can’t realistically profit from playing both sides; instead, it must demonstrate reliability, stability, and genuine economic contribution to maintain China’s trust.
In the end, the “iron brotherhood” may need a reshuffle of its core values. On the move, the partnership is expected to hinge on consistent delivery and strategic clarity, moving beyond poetic rhetoric to steady results on trade, security, and mutual development.
Source: ianslive
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