Beijing has slapped Islamabad on the wrist, and the proverbial fan is splattered with you know what. That the Chinese have politely declined to bail Pakistan out of its economic mess should serve as a serious wake up call to the government. Indeed, Sino-Pak relations serve as good summary of what Pakistan has done, and is doing, that it ought not to.

At any other time, China’s offer to help Pakistan build two nuclear energy plants at the Chashma nuclear complex would be perceived as grand. The extra 680MW of electricity generated by these plants are much needed in a country where joining power riots is an acceptable way to spend an afternoon (while distracting yourself from the fact that you haven’t had electricity for 17 hours). Moreover, the recent civilian nuclear cooperation deal signed between India and the US had Pakistanis in a tizzy, livid that their go-to superpower had shown a preference for the longtime rival instead. By signing a similar pact with China, Pakistan has not only made equitable investment in nuclear energy, but also reminded the US that it has alternative avenues through which to seek non-military aid.

But at a time when Pakistan is knocking on its ‘friends’ doors, seeking a 10 billion dollar bailout and turning to the IMF for help balancing payments, civilian nuclear cooperation doesn’t seem to cut it. Pakistanis have therefore been forced to ask themselves why China is not willing to go to bat for them. Firstly, China’s reluctance results from Pakistan’s inability to strategically manage its allies. After becoming president, Asif Zardari cancelled his scheduled first official visit to China in favour of swinging by Washington. At the time, pundits warned that the change of plan was a snub that the Chinese would not quickly forget. Editorials and expert opinions reminded the administration that taking China for granted while pandering to the US threatened the decades-old Sino-Pak alliance. Turns out they were right.

... contd.