Shehbaz Sharif’s Chinese treasure hunt
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded his recent high-stakes five-day official visit to China on 8 June 2024. His delegation included the ministers for foreign affairs, defence, finance, and trade, along with over 100 Pakistani businessmen, and most importantly, the Army Chief General, Asim Munir, underscoring the visit’s strategic significance. The urgency of this trip was driven by Islamabad’s efforts to secure a new credit agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which hinges on the approval of China, Pakistan’s largest bilateral lender. Pakistan’s budget, usually presented on 10 June, was also kept on hold until Sharif’s return from Beijing. This visit highlights Islamabad’s increasing dependence on China amid a deepening deb...