Pakistan has once again discovered its favourite national pastime, selling dreams that never materialise. This time, it is not cricket glory, not “Asian Tiger” economics, not “biggest oil reserves in Asia” like Imran Khan once promised. No, this time the saviour of the Islamic Republic, self proclaimed Field Marshal Asim Munir, has declared that Pakistan has a “rare earth deposit” that will miraculously reduce debt, fix the economy, and transform the country into one of the richest societies in the world. Move over Switzerland and Singapore, here comes Pakistan.
The proclamation was dutifully carried by writer Suhail Waraich in Geo News, with Munir reportedly boasting that Pakistan’s rare earth reserves are its ticket to untold wealth. One can almost hear the military brass polishing their boots in excitement, finally, a mineral fairy-tale to rescue their bankrupt republic.
The American Angle
Munir’s fantasy also ties neatly into America’s own obsession with rare earths. Washington wants to break China’s dominance in the sector, and suddenly Pakistan imagines itself as the knight in shining armour. According to Munir, US officials have shown interest in Pakistan’s mineral deposits for electronics and defence. The same US that barely trusts Islamabad to manage wheat distribution now apparently wants Pakistan to be its critical minerals supplier. How touching.
Trump too is reportedly warming up to Pakistan, largely because India flatly refused to entertain his delusional claim of brokering a ceasefire after Operation Sindoor. With New Delhi snubbing him, Trump has turned to Islamabad, dangling promises of oil-field development and mineral mining. Pakistan, desperate for relevance, is only too eager to oblige.
Munir the Statesman
When asked whether this sudden closeness to Washington would hurt ties with Beijing, Munir declared, “We will not sacrifice one friend for another.” In reality, Pakistan’s military elite has spent decades milking both powers, first the Americans, then the Chinese, for aid, loans, and weapons. Now, with the economy in ruins, Munir is promising to play matchmaker between Washington and Beijing, as if he runs the global chessboard.
This is the same Pakistan that once announced the discovery of massive offshore oil and gas reserves in 2019. Imran Khan confidently declared it would be “the biggest in Asia.” Within months, the Petroleum Ministry sheepishly admitted it was a dud. Yet here we are again, dusting off the old formula that announce a discovery, sell dreams, and hope the IMF gives another loan.
Political Rumours and the Messiah Complex
Munir, promoted to Field Marshal in record time, has also been dogged by rumours of entering politics. With President Asif Ali Zardari rumoured to be on his way out, speculation was rife that Munir would take the presidency under a new presidential system. After all, Pakistan’s military has more experience running the country than any civilian politician. But Munir rejected these rumours.
Munir has held every powerful military post imaginable, DG ISI, DG Military Intelligence, Corps Commander, and now Chief of Army Staff. Now with his shiny Field Marshal badge, he is essentially Pakistan’s supreme ruler, whether in uniform or in the presidency. And yet, he insists he has no political ambitions. One can almost hear the laughter echoing in Rawalpindi.
The Never-Ending Mirage
The irony is glaring. A country drowning in debt, begging the IMF for bailouts, with collapsing infrastructure and rampant unemployment, now wants the world to believe that rare earth deposits will transform it into a global powerhouse. Pakistan has a long tradition of such delusions, “Asian Tiger by 2010,” “oil riches of the Arabian Sea,” “strategic depth in Afghanistan,” “CPEC as the new Silk Road.” Each ended the same way, in humiliation and dependency.
Munir’s latest promise is just another entry in this long catalogue of illusions. Rare earths may or may not exist in Pakistan in any significant quantity, but expecting this military-run basket case to build a high-tech mining and refining industry is like expecting a cricket team that can’t bat to win the World Cup.
For now, Pakistan’s rare earth dream is just that, a dream. But it makes for great propaganda. And as long as the people can be kept busy imagining future riches, the generals can continue their favourite job that ruling a broken country while telling everyone that salvation is just around the corner.
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