
Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment event on the day of the G20 summit in New Delhi. (Image: Reuters)
Pakistanis lauded India for leading the ambitious economic corridor project and said it should act as a wake up call for the people in power in Islamabad.
Pakistan is in a state of meltdown following the announcement of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and Pakistani citizens are angered that Pakistan’s major politicians are not acknowledging the magnitude of this ambitious project.
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Pakistanis took to social media site, X, formerly known as Twitter, to vent out their frustrations. One user said that being a Pakistani citizen he feels ashamed because the leadership in Islamabad is not accountable and has not done anything of significance to develop Pakistan.
“As a Paki, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of shame today. Our nation deserves better leadership, accountability, and a brighter future. It’s time for change and a renewed commitment to the values that truly represent us,” the user posted on X.
I compliment India to achieve the historic announcement of India, Middle East, Europe & USA corridor. If after Saudi Arabia & UAEs inclusion this is not seen as something to be noted then we are blind. We should be a part. If we join it can be land route also. Rethink!— SyedShabbarZaidi (@SShabbarZaidi) September 9, 2023
A Pakistani businessman took to X to say that Pakistan should rethink its stance on India and try to join the land route. “I compliment India for the historic announcement of the India, Middle East, Europe and US corridor. If after Saudi Arabia & UAEs inclusion this is not seen as something to be noted then we are blind. We should be a part. If we join it can be a land route also. Rethink!,” the businessman said.
That will never happen, even if the Pakistani people want it. The Pakistan army will never allow it, and the army will not have the significance that it has now.— Sam (@RebelHeartChe) September 9, 2023
However, other users were quick to point out that the Pakistani army would not let that happen as they run the country.
The amount of corruption we do. I highly doubt it.— Ali Hadi (@hadtaj) September 10, 2023
Some also said that Pakistan could not join the project even if it wanted to due to rampant corruption in the country.
‘Dates Not Yet Confirmed’
Pakistan is pinning all its hopes on Saudi Arabia Prime Minister Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s visit as they hope this will result in multiple deals in the agriculture, mining, energy and IT sectors.
However, the Saudi Arabian delegation has not yet confirmed the dates of Mohammad bin Salman’s, aka MBS, visit, throwing the caretaker government in a state of uncertainty.
It was reported that MBS would visit Pakistan on a very short trip to Pakistan and people familiar with the developments told CNN-News18 that he would visit Pakistan first but there was a change of plans as MBS attend the G20 summit and signed the MoU on the mega infrastructure deal before visiting Islamabad.
“Saudi Arabia has always been there for Pakistan, and since the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council, the involvement has only intensified. So we have high hopes from the visit and we’re pretty positive that we’ll get some MoU’s signed,” caretaker foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said.