Cricket Nationalism for Cameras, Dollars Dictate Reality? Why Pak Courted Ex-World Bank Chief Banga

Pakistan once again exposed the hollowness of its political posturing. It refused to play India in cricket, weaponising sport for domestic optics. Yet when Indian-born World Bank chief Ajay Banga landed in Islamabad, Pakistan rolled out pageantry rarely seen for foreign leaders. The reason is simple. Pakistan’s economy is on life support. With massive debt, shrinking reserves and dependence on global lenders, Islamabad desperately needs World Bank funding. Cricket nationalism may energise television debates, but dollars decide survival. Ajay Banga has already clarified that the World Bank is only a facilitator on the Indus Waters Treaty, not an arbitrator. Still, Pakistan chose symbolism over substance. Even Pakistanis online questioned why Indian origin is abused politically but celebrated when financial help is required. This is not foreign policy, it is financial compulsion wrapped in selective nationalism.