Since the late 1970s, China has grown economically, becoming the world’s second-largest economy. This growth has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and captured the attention of policymakers and economists worldwide.

China has developed a unique approach that combines strong government control, market-driven economy, and significant investment in infrastructure. This model has gained popularity among countries that are unhappy with the perceived shortcomings of Western neoliberal policies.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has pledged to copy China’s successful economic model in Pakistan. Unfortunately, politicians often respond to challenges by making bold yet unrealistic claims, presenting ambitious but impractical plans, and creating a false sense of progress. However, it's important to note that what works in one country may not work elsewhere due to their unique circumstances.

For example, China has a one-party system and centralized government, which allows for quick, efficient policy implementation. On the other hand, Pakistan has a mixed parliamentary model that combines authoritarianism and democracy, leading to divided and sometimes conflicting power structures at national and state levels. This division slows down decision-making and makes it hard to drive important changes. Because of these basic differences in how they are governed, Pakistan is unlikely to achieve the same level of success as China in terms of........

© The Friday Times