In the dimly lit auditorium of ISI Headquarters, Islamabad, Pakistan’s de facto ruler, Army
Chief General Asim Munir—mockingly referred to as “The Deceiver” within military
ranks—addressed top intelligence officers on August 3, 2023. What was meant to be a
morale-boosting speech laid bare an audacious geopolitical gamble: using Pakistan’s
untapped critical minerals as bait to reignite U.S. involvement in the region, while
simultaneously appeasing China. The blueprint? A classic Pakistani military double game—
refined through decades of duplicity from the Afghan Jihad to the war on terror.
Chief General Asim Munir—mockingly referred to as “The Deceiver” within military
ranks—addressed top intelligence officers on August 3, 2023. What was meant to be a
morale-boosting speech laid bare an audacious geopolitical gamble: using Pakistan’s
untapped critical minerals as bait to reignite U.S. involvement in the region, while
simultaneously appeasing China. The blueprint? A classic Pakistani military double game—
refined through decades of duplicity from the Afghan Jihad to the war on terror.
This time, the mineral wealth of Pakistan is the hook, and the prize is a decade-long extension
of Asim Munir’s unaccountable rule.
Rare Earths, Rare Opportunities
The pitch is simple, seductive, and familiar: Pakistan is sitting on trillions of dollars’ worth of
unexplored critical minerals—rare earths, lithium, copper, and gold. Munir’s message to his
officers was clear: “Pakistanis must not lose hope. Riches lie beneath our feet.” Yet,
beyond the soaring rhetoric, his regime offers no concrete plans, no economic models, and no
credible indicators of success.
unexplored critical minerals—rare earths, lithium, copper, and gold. Munir’s message to his
officers was clear: “Pakistanis must not lose hope. Riches lie beneath our feet.” Yet,
beyond the soaring rhetoric, his regime offers no concrete plans, no economic models, and no
credible indicators of success.
Instead, Munir’s so-called “economic revolution” hinges on one thing: selling access to these
mineral reserves to competing global powers—particularly the U.S. and China—under the
illusion of neutrality while playing both ends for personal and institutional profit.
mineral reserves to competing global powers—particularly the U.S. and China—under the
illusion of neutrality while playing both ends for personal and institutional profit.
This is not a development strategy. It’s a geopolitical con.
From Afghan Jihad to Mineral Jihad: The Art of the Double Game
Just as General Zia-ul-Haq leveraged the Afghan Jihad for power and Western aid in the
1980s, Asim Munir seeks to revive the playbook for the age of critical minerals and great
power rivalry. The difference? Zia had an ideological excuse. Munir has only greed.
power rivalry. The difference? Zia had an ideological excuse. Munir has only greed.
According to insider reports, the Pakistani military has already informed the Chinese
government—which has operated in Pakistan’s mineral sectors for decades—of its plan to
draw the United States into the same mining zones. The move, reportedly met with
understanding from Beijing, shows how deeply cynical and transactional Pakistan’s military
diplomacy has become. It also underscores Beijing’s confidence in its long-term grip,
despite the U.S. flirtation.
government—which has operated in Pakistan’s mineral sectors for decades—of its plan to
draw the United States into the same mining zones. The move, reportedly met with
understanding from Beijing, shows how deeply cynical and transactional Pakistan’s military
diplomacy has become. It also underscores Beijing’s confidence in its long-term grip,
despite the U.S. flirtation.
The military junta’s objective is not to choose between Washington and Beijing but to exploit
both—politically, economically, and strategically. And at the centre of this scheme stands theSIFC (Special Investment Facilitation Council)—a failed economic body created in 2023 to
consolidate military control over the economy under the pretence of attracting foreign
investment.
both—politically, economically, and strategically. And at the centre of this scheme stands theSIFC (Special Investment Facilitation Council)—a failed economic body created in 2023 to
consolidate military control over the economy under the pretence of attracting foreign
investment.
The SIFC Mirage: An Economic Failure Disguised as Reform
The SIFC has yielded no measurable economic benefits. In fact, investment as a
percentage of GDP has fallen to a historic low of 13.5% since the 2022 regime change
backed by the military. Far from being a gateway to prosperity, SIFC has become a rubber
stamp for military-backed deals and land grabs—fuelling public resentment and further
isolating Pakistan from credible investors.
backed by the military. Far from being a gateway to prosperity, SIFC has become a rubber
stamp for military-backed deals and land grabs—fuelling public resentment and further
isolating Pakistan from credible investors.
Nevertheless, Munir continues to promote SIFC as a visionary tool. In reality, it’s a
smokescreen for his autocratic ambitions and a way to sideline civilian institutions.
smokescreen for his autocratic ambitions and a way to sideline civilian institutions.
Appeasing Trump, Wooing Washington
The United States is being courted again—not with partnership, but flattery and
manipulation. Munir’s past attempts to win favour with President Trump included
nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize and awarding U.S. CENTCOM generals with
Pakistan’s highest awards.
manipulation. Munir’s past attempts to win favour with President Trump included
nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize and awarding U.S. CENTCOM generals with
Pakistan’s highest awards.
The goal? To bait Trump-era influencers and Pentagon decision-makers into reengaging in Pakistan—this time not with drones, but with mining contracts.
It’s a diplomatic trap wrapped in economic opportunity.
Munir’s Address: A Glimpse into the Dictator’s Mind
The Army Chief’s August 3rd 2023 speech to ISI offered more than just economic
deception—it also reflected his autocratic vision for Pakistan:
- He dismissed democracy, labelling politicians as “corrupt” and branding ImranKhan an “anarchist.”
- He preached Quranic verses, in a performance reminiscent of Zia-ul-Haq’s Islamist theatrics, while avoiding any reference to real economic plans or security threats from India.
- He praised ISI’s crackdown on civil rights and press freedom, indicating that the military clampdown on political opponents—especially PTI—will intensify.
- Notably, he avoided any discussion of the controversial 9th May incidents, the Shuhada narrative, or human rights abuses by the ISI’s own operatives.
Even the former Director General ISI (DGI) was reportedly expecting news of his term
extension during the address—a sign of how personalized and unaccountable this regime has
become.
extension during the address—a sign of how personalized and unaccountable this regime has
become.
Zia 2.0 or Something Worse?
In effect, Asim Munir is carving out his own dictatorship, one veiled behind promises of
mineral riches and religious morality, while systematically eroding democratic institutions
and press freedoms. If Zia used jihad to hold power, Munir is using minerals as the new
holy war—with himself as the sole messiah.
mineral riches and religious morality, while systematically eroding democratic institutions
and press freedoms. If Zia used jihad to hold power, Munir is using minerals as the new
holy war—with himself as the sole messiah.
But this time, the consequences could be far more destabilizing.
Pakistan risks becoming the battleground for a new Cold War—not through
miscalculation, but by deliberate manipulation. The military junta seeks to profit from
rivalry, even if it means dragging the country into deeper dependency, debt, and internal
decay.
miscalculation, but by deliberate manipulation. The military junta seeks to profit from
rivalry, even if it means dragging the country into deeper dependency, debt, and internal
decay.
The minerals may be real. But the revolution Munir promises is not.
Conclusion: Minerals, Manipulation, and Military Rule
Asim Munir’s promises of an economic miracle through critical minerals are a mirage—
crafted not for the people of Pakistan, but for foreign investors, U.S. policymakers, and
global superpowers willing to trade principles for access.
This isn’t just resource exploitation. It’s state capture under the camouflage of
development, led by a man whose only real goal appears to be a decade-long reign in
uniform.
Pakistan doesn’t need another Zia. It needs civilian rule, transparent governance, and
democratic legitimacy—before its resources, sovereignty, and future are sold off to the
highest bidder in a geopolitical con of historic proportions.
Adil Raja is a freelance investigative journalist and a dissident based in London, United Kingdom. He is a member of the National Union of Journalists of the UK and the International Human Rights Foundation. Read more about Adil Raja.
