$338B GDP. 23rd IMF loan ($7B). 30%+ inflation (2023-24). Foreign reserves barely cover 1 month of imports. CPEC investments stalling. Textile exports hit by energy costs. Significant IMF conditionality pressure.
Nuclear arsenal: 160-170 warheads. Short-range tactical nukes as India deterrent. JF-17 (China co-developed). F-16 (US supplied). ISI intelligence deeply involved in Afghanistan. Army controls foreign policy de facto.
All-weather friendship with China. US relationship transactional (counter-terrorism base access). India — structured hostility. Afghanistan — Taliban relations complex. Gulf states as labour export destination.