Strategic Foresight 2025: Pakistan’s Great Game Between China, Trump’s America, and the Future

By Zohaib Ahmed

Editor-in-Chief, The New World Disorder

Something shifted post-April. After India’s brief yet aggressive miscalculation in Kashmir, and Pakistan’s measured yet forceful response, a strategic window has cracked open—one not seen since the Cold War realignments. And while the West was caught napping, Washington, or more precisely Trump’s America, seems to have woken up, nodding toward Islamabad with a mix of curiosity, grudging respect, and commercial interest.

Trump is now publicly admiring Pakistan again. This isn’t nostalgia—this is an opportunity.

It’s 2025. China is already in our backyard, in our bloodstream, in our ports and power plants. But now the United States—under a bold, business-first doctrine—is back in the game. The challenge for Pakistan is clear: don’t become anyone’s pawn. Be the board.

The New Multipolar Gameboard

Pakistan must weaponize non-alignment. This doesn’t mean neutrality—it means being indispensable to both power blocs for different reasons.

1. Ignore the Defense Sector with the U.S.—It's a Trap

Let’s be honest—America is unreliable in defense cooperation. Just ask the Iranians, Iraqis, Afghans, or even Turkey. F-16s come with strings longer than Gwadar’s undersea cables.

China and Turkey are our future in defense. Period.

Play the Bold Billionaire Card

Trump’s inner circle has pivoted to tech, business, crypto, and media—not military-industrial complex wars. And here’s where Pakistan can act ruthlessly but smartly.

1. The Gateway to Middle Eastern & Chinese Markets

Trump isn’t interested in traditional diplomacy — he loves deal-making, real estate, and quick wins.
Pitch Gwadar as the "Dubai of Tomorrow + Shenzhen of the West."
Offer tax-free Trump Tower zones or exclusive industrial parks for Trump-linked investors.

2. Become the "Logistics Hub" for Global South

Pakistan can become the UPS of South Asia by linking CPEC + GSP + Gulf trade zones.
Pitch SEZs that serve American supply chain exits from China (pharma, semiconductors, apparel).

3. Create a ‘Make America Money Again’ (MAMA) Initiative

Invite Trump-affiliated businesses to build local manufacturing — in apparel, supplements, sports, and entertainment.
Leverage it for photo ops and public diplomacy. Let Trump own the win — he'll love it.

4. Offer Land-for-Infrastructure Deals

Use unused desert zones (Thar, Balochistan) for smart city development — solar farms, modular housing, freeports.
Offer naming rights — yes, Trumpabad. He’ll eat that up.

Introducing DOGE: Department of Government Efficiency

(And yes, this would please Trump like nothing else.)

DOGE: A cheeky but strategic name that nods to the meme-ification of governance, while tackling Pakistan’s biggest disease: inefficient bureaucracy.

“What if PTI was real about digital governance? DOGE makes it a movement.”

Why DOGE is Powerful:

Feature	Why It Matters
Digital-first public service	Digitize land records, tax, licenses. Build a single citizen portal.
Govt. KPIs like startups	Each department gets OKRs. Performance-based promotions.
Blockchain-based anti-corruption	No more “rishwat” culture. Every transaction is visible.
AI Chatbots for governance	Automate passport inquiries, license renewals, tax filing.
Meme PR model	Use DOGE mascot + Gen Z-friendly PR to make governance sexy.

How DOGE Can Be Trump’s Dream Project:

Trump loves branding, efficiency, firing people, and being “anti-deep state.”
Frame DOGE as “The Pakistani MAGA Bureaucracy Reform Model.”
Invite Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and crypto-friendly VCs to help fund it.
Launch it in Gwadar, make it autonomous, and turn it into a test case for government-as-a-service.

Immediate Effects of DOGE:

Outcome	Description
Investor confidence skyrockets	Transparency and speed become Pakistan’s new brand.
Diaspora returns	Young Pakistanis abroad see a future in public-private partnerships.
US Tech alignment	DOGE becomes the sandbox for Silicon Valley-style government.
Trump’s name on it = Global optics	International media will cover it as “Trump’s boldest foreign legacy.”

Pakistan’s real power lies in what it does next. The post-April 2025 geopolitical reset is not just an opportunity—it’s a gold rush. The 5th largest population, one of the youngest demographics on Earth, and a location that bridges East and West—Pakistan is sitting on untapped platinum. If it plays its cards right, the leverage doesn’t go to the US or China—it stays in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Gwadar.

Invite the Titans: Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Amazon—Straight to Digicon Valley and Gwadar

Pakistan must go beyond the usual suspects and bring in the true tech gods:

Apple and Microsoft can be wooed with joint R&D parks in Digicon Valley. Apple's hardware assembly, Microsoft’s cloud data centers, and AI research hubs can anchor Pakistan’s digital ecosystem.
NVIDIA, the brain behind the global AI revolution, must be offered exclusive land and energy incentives for a regional chip innovation hub. With US-China chip wars heating up, Pakistan becomes the perfect neutral ground.
Amazon, with its logistics muscle, can turn Gwadar into a "Mega Fulfillment Port"—connecting Asia, Middle East, and Africa under one smart logistics system.

These are not just economic partners—they’re leverage creators. Their presence in Pakistan brings power, prestige, and protection.

Enter the Retail Juggernauts: Walmart, Costco, and Barnes & Noble

Let’s talk consumer capitalism, the soft power equivalent of an F-35.

Walmart and Costco entering Pakistan could revolutionize supply chains, lower inflation through bulk retail, and provide employment across tier-2 and tier-3 cities.
Barnes & Noble, symbolic but powerful, can be part of Pakistan’s intellectual diplomacy—reviving the reading culture, translating books into Urdu and regional languages, and fostering global literary exchange.

With over 240 million consumers, these brands will not just thrive—they’ll anchor Western cultural trust in Pakistan.

Gwadar: From Port to Global Brand

Gwadar isn’t just a port—it’s a brand in the making.

This is where Pakistan must invite Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett’s powerhouse, to anchor long-term infrastructure projects:

Railway networks, smart housing, energy storage, and green industrial zones—all backed by Berkshire-level credibility and capital.
A strategic meeting between PM and Warren Buffett could position Pakistan as the next frontier economy for ethical, long-horizon investments.

Think: The Gwadar Accord 2025.

Blueprint: Transforming Gwadar into a Global Trade and Retail Hub

Objective

To establish Gwadar as a premier trade and retail destination, attracting US corporations like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Walmart, Costco, and Barnes & Noble, while ensuring Pakistan retains economic and regulatory leverage.

Key Incentives

Tax Exemptions: 15-year tax holidays for companies establishing operations in Gwadar SEZs.
Free Land and Infrastructure: Subsidized land and access to CPEC-funded ports, roads, and power plants.
Local Partnerships: Mandate 40% local ownership in joint ventures to ensure profit-sharing and technology transfer.
Streamlined Regulations: Fast-track licensing and customs processes, inspired by DOGE’s efficiency principles.
Consumer Market Access: Highlight Pakistan’s 240 million population and proximity to South Asia, Middle East, and Central Asia.

Implementation Plan

Form a Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) task force to negotiate with US corporations.
Develop a dedicated Gwadar Tech and Retail Park with high-speed internet, renewable energy, and modern logistics.
Partner with Chinese firms to integrate CPEC infrastructure, ensuring compatibility with US investments.
Launch a global marketing campaign branding Gwadar as the “Dubai of South Asia.”
Establish vocational training centers in Gwadar to prepare locals for tech and retail jobs.

Expected Outcomes

$15 billion in FDI from US corporations over 7 years.
Creation of 300,000 jobs in Gwadar, including 50,000 high-skill tech roles.
20% increase in Pakistan’s export revenue through Gwadar-based trade.
Strengthened US-Pakistan economic ties while preserving China’s CPEC interests.

Logan Paul, Prime & Youth Pop Culture Diplomacy

Let’s not underestimate the power of cultural disruption.

Logan Paul’s Prime—with its insane Gen Z appeal—can be a manufacturing & marketing partner in Pakistan’s beverage sector.
Pakistan becomes the Prime Production Hub for South Asia, while launching youth employment and influencer-driven campaigns in urban areas.

PR Goldmine: Prime’s launch in Pakistan could be tied to “Drink the Future” campaigns, promoting fitness, sports, and digital literacy in underserved youth communities.

1. Invite Elon Musk to Launch a Hyperloop 2.0 Testbed in Gwadar

Tactical Benefits:

Unregulated innovation zone: Unlike California, Pakistan can give Elon a 1000 km test corridor with no red tape, military-grade security, and low cost deployment.
The Hyperloop corridor between Gwadar and Quetta or Gwadar to Karachi could:
- Cut logistics time by 80%
- Create 100,000+ skilled jobs in steel, AI, sensors, and construction
- Attract global researchers and tech companies to collaborate

Strategic Leverage:

This becomes a moonshot alliance: Pakistan offers space + labor, Elon offers tech + optics.
India loses monopoly as South Asia’s tech-hub.
Elon gets the chance to own the future of transport in the East, and Pakistan becomes the proving ground.

2. Invite Donald Trump to Launch Truth Social Pakistan 🇵🇰

Why This Is Brilliant:

Truth Social has zero traction outside the US. Trump would love to launch the first overseas version in a Muslim country that he can say he "fixed."
Pakistan has:
- 130+ million mobile broadband users
- 70% youth population
- Deep polarization = audience hungry for alternatives to Facebook/Twitter

Strategic Outcome:

Makes Pakistan a global lab for political tech apps
Encourages Pakistani startups to build APIs, integrations, content moderation tools
Positions Pakistan as the Silicon Crescent of Muslim media platforms
Trump gets international relevance. We get traffic, FDI, and influence.

Starlink + X (Former Twitter) Offices in Pakistan

Starlink Integration Ideas That Keep China Happy

Dual Track Model: “Civilian+”

Let China handle strategic/military comms satellites, and use Starlink purely for commercial development:

Rural internet for Balochistan, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan
High-speed internet for agri-drones, fintech apps, and e-commerce
Provide space-based education tools in flood-affected zones

Narrative Spin: “We’re using Starlink to empower our people, while safeguarding our sovereignty via Chinese systems.”

Starlink + Huawei Routers:

Hybrid infrastructure where Starlink connects remote towns, but Huawei or Zong builds the terrestrial systems.
China gets hardware contracts; Pakistan gets software connectivity.

Starlink Pakistan Office with PLA Supervision (Quietly):

To calm Chinese nerves, ensure transparency — allow a small observer committee to monitor activity.
Pitch this as a "5 Eyes alternative alliance" for the South.

Starlink Impact:

Solves the rural internet problem for 60 million Pakistanis.
Enables:
- Smart farming in Punjab and Sindh
- E-health in Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan
- Real-time surveillance at borders, pipelines, and ports

Bonus Benefit:

Pair this with DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) and let Starlink power Pakistan's e-governance in the cloud.

X Office in Islamabad or Karachi:

Direct access to Pakistani user data & ad market
Job creation in content moderation, regional marketing, and trend research
Local creators get blue tick economy benefits + monetization = content export boom

PART II: Strategic Domino Effects for Pakistani Business & Commerce

Pakistan Becomes South Asia’s Startup Magnet

Elon’s presence triggers VC funding waves
Trump’s name gives media mileage
Musk’s R&D center + Starlink hub = Pakistan’s own “X Valley”
Government-backed accelerators can ride this wave (think: Digital Pakistan Garage)

Domestic Brands Get Global Collabs

Imagine Pakola x Prime (Logan Paul) limited edition
Sialkot sportswear firms supply WWE gear after Vince McMahon becomes honorary advisor
Pakistani TikTok influencers start plugging Truth Social
Pakistani cafes integrate X payments — build a crypto-forward café chain

Real Estate + Infrastructure Boom in Gwadar

Gwadar becomes the "Singapore of West Asia"
Hyperloop, Tesla charging stations, drone ports → spur Giga infrastructure zones
Domestic construction firms (Habib Rafiq, Bahria) + startups collaborate
Foreign retail giants (Costco, Walmart, Barnes & Noble) test entry into Asia via a custom-built port city modeled like Dubai

Soft Power Revolution: “Made in Pakistan” Becomes Sexy

With these players involved, “Pakistan” stops being a geopolitical problem and becomes a creative-energy-exporting country.
Music, memes, tech, e-governance, gaming, food — Pakistan becomes the Gen Z lab of the East.
Pakistan could host:
- Dogecoin DevCon
- Musk-Trump-Pak Startup Fest
- Truth Social + AI Ethics Dialogue

Vince McMahon as Government Advisor? Why Not.

Redemption meets soft diplomacy. Pakistan can invite Vince McMahon as a symbolic Entertainment and Youth Engagement Advisor—a bold PR move with strategic undercurrents.

This paves the way for WWE events in Karachi or Lahore, igniting tourism, global media attention, and a sports entertainment industry in Pakistan.
It gives Vince a narrative comeback arc and gives Pakistan a soft power win among 200 million+ youth across South Asia and MENA.

🇺🇸 Host a "Trump Peace Conference" in Islamabad or Gwadar

Pitch it as “Muslim World + Israel Dialogue” – invite Arab states + Jared Kushner
Trump gets Nobel optics without doing anything hard
Pakistan positions itself as bridge-builder, with China and Turkey as side sponsors

Offer Trump Org a "Presidential Tower" in Gwadar

Mixed-use complex: hotel, golf course, offshore financial hub
Built by Habib Rafiq or Bahria in partnership with Trump Hotels
Give him naming rights + no tax for 10 years. He’ll tweet about it for months.

Strategic Autonomy Checklist: Keeping the Leverage in Pakistan

Here’s how we keep the power from leaking:

Move	What It Does	Leverage Score
Tesla, Apple, Amazon in SEZs	Anchor long-term investment	✅ ✅ ✅
Trump Tower & Vince McMahon	Build elite US-level soft ties	✅ ✅
Invite Buffett & Berkshire	Bring in long-term capital, global trust	✅ ✅ ✅
Gwadar as Amazon-Walmart Fulfillment HQ	Turn location into global necessity	✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Youth Influence via Prime Drink & WWE	Win Gen Z hearts at scale	✅ ✅
Digicon Valley & OpenAI	Build a neutral AI hub with US-China bridges	✅ ✅ ✅ ✅

Additional Strategies to Maintain Leverage

Pakistan must adopt innovative and bold strategies to maximize benefits while ensuring it remains in control of its economic and geopolitical destiny.

Crypto and DeFi Leadership: Building on DOGE’s efficiency focus, Pakistan should establish itself as a regional leader in cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi). Creating a blockchain hub in Gwadar, with regulatory sandboxes for US and Chinese fintech firms, could attract investment while positioning Pakistan as a neutral player. For example, partnering with US firms like Coinbase or Chinese platforms like Binance could drive innovation, with Pakistan retaining oversight through a national blockchain authority.
Rare Earth Metals and Strategic Resources: Pakistan should accelerate exploration of rare earth metals in Baluchistan, offering joint ventures to US firms like Nvidia or Amazon, which rely on these materials for AI and cloud computing hardware. By structuring deals to prioritize local employment and infrastructure development, Pakistan can address Baluchistan’s economic grievances while securing US investment without alienating China.
Cultural and Sports Diplomacy: Hosting high-profile US events, such as tech summits, WWE matches, or Prime-sponsored youth festivals, can enhance Pakistan’s soft power. Inviting figures like Buffett, Paul, or McMahon to these events could generate global media attention, branding Pakistan as a dynamic investment destination. Pakistan should control event narratives to emphasize its cultural and economic strengths.
Education and Innovation Hubs: Partnering with Microsoft and Nvidia to establish AI and software development academies in Gwadar and Karachi could prepare Pakistan’s youth for global tech jobs. These hubs should be locally managed to ensure knowledge transfer and prevent brain drain, maintaining Pakistan’s leverage over intellectual capital.
Trilateral Trade Framework: To balance US and Chinese interests, Pakistan should propose a trilateral trade framework involving US corporations, Chinese logistics firms, and Pakistani oversight. For instance, Amazon could use Gwadar for e-commerce logistics, with Chinese firms handling port operations and Pakistan controlling regulatory frameworks. This ensures all parties benefit while Pakistan retains strategic control.

Risks and Mitigation

Baluchistan Sensitivities: Expanding US and Chinese presence in Gwadar could exacerbate local unrest. Pakistan must invest in Baluchistan’s education, healthcare, and infrastructure, ensuring locals benefit from job creation and revenue. A Baluchistan Development Fund, financed by SEZ profits, could address grievances.
Over-Reliance on US Firms: To avoid dependence, Pakistan should diversify investments by engaging European and Middle Eastern firms alongside US and Chinese companies. Retaining majority stakes in joint ventures ensures long-term control.
China’s Reaction: Pakistan must reassure China that US investments in Gwadar complement CPEC. Regular high-level dialogues and joint CPEC-US projects, such as co-managed logistics hubs, can maintain trust.
Public Perception of Foreign Personalities: High-profile figures like Logan Paul or Vince McMahon may face skepticism in Pakistan. The government should frame their involvement as economic partnerships, emphasizing local benefits through media campaigns.

What Are the Odds? Realistic Assessment of Each Suggestion

Suggestion	Odds (Out of 10)	What It Depends On	Potential Impact on Pakistan
Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA in Pakistan	4/10 (moderate–difficult)	Political stability, IP protection, US-Pakistan ties, SEZ reforms	Huge boost to tech sector, exports, jobs. Will rebrand Pakistan as an innovation zone, but needs serious policy clarity.
Amazon, Walmart, Costco in Pakistan	6/10 (realistic with effort)	Market size, FDI laws, digital infrastructure	Massive impact on middle-class inflation, job creation, and consumer trust. Could modernize retail and supply chains.
Barnes & Noble in Pakistan	7/10 (niche but possible)	Cultural diplomacy, education sector focus	Boosts literary culture, English language diplomacy. PR win more than economic. Low cost, high symbolic value.
Berkshire Hathaway involvement	3/10 (difficult but not impossible)	Long-term macroeconomic reforms, sectoral partnerships	If pulled off, it brings the "Buffett Trust Effect"—massive global capital confidence. But needs 10-year commitment vision.
Logan Paul & Prime Drink	8/10 (realistic & easy win)	Pop culture diplomacy, marketing agency pitch, influencer access	Can tap Gen Z, spark fitness & hydration culture, youth employment via manufacturing & distribution.
Vince McMahon/WWE collaboration	6/10 (possible through private-public diplomacy)	Cultural openness, sports ministry initiative, tourism vision	Big PR moment. WWE event in Pakistan can generate millions in tourism + massive global attention.
Trump Tower / Trump Economic Ties	5/10 (depends on Trump’s own agenda)**	Strategic proximity to China, Trump’s Middle East + business playbook	If it happens, it gives Pakistan a unique Trump-era “golden access card” to American investor networks.
Digicon Valley with US AI Companies	4/10 (requires multilateral neutrality)	Cybersecurity diplomacy, AI law readiness	Long-term soft power + economic edge. Needs digital sovereignty + international trust first.

Will Trump Be This Open?

Short Answer: Yes, but only if he sees leverage and loyalty.

What We Know About Trump’s Playbook:

Transactional by nature: Trump responds well to flattery, exclusive deals, and loyalist alignment.
Has strong ties to real estate, energy, media, and military contractors.
Wants to counter China and revive the "Make America Great Again" global footprint.
He’s far more likely to cut bilateral deals with strongmen than follow multilaterals like Biden.

So How Can Pakistan Make It Happen?

Requirement	How to Deliver
Show Trump there’s profit	Invite Trump Organization for luxury Gwadar resort or SEZ real estate.
Appeal to his anti-China instincts	Position Pakistan as a “neutral digital Silk Road” alternative.
Build a media campaign around it	Use your agency to start a #TrumpInGwadar viral campaign on X/IG. Get alt-right media buzzing.
Send unofficial backchannel envoys	Use Pakistani-American businessmen or celebrities to approach Trump World.

If These Deals Happen: The "New Pakistan Equation"

Here’s what we’re talking about if even 40% of these plans succeed:

Economic Effects:

$20–$40 billion FDI within 5 years.
Creation of 500,000+ tech/retail/logistics jobs.
Rise of Pakistan’s e-commerce and AI manufacturing share in Asia.

Geo-Strategic Effects:

Increased strategic autonomy—Pakistan won’t be dependent solely on China or Gulf nations.
Greater American goodwill, with Pakistan acting as a neutral platform (not a vassal).
Pakistan becomes the “swing state” in global AI, energy, and logistics diplomacy.

Cultural Effects:

Pakistani youth are no longer brain-drained—they get onshore opportunities.
Global image transforms from “crisis country” to “Frontier Opportunity Hub.”
Pop culture collaborations help fight extremism with engagement, not enforcement.

What If Pakistan Fails to Act?

India will replace us in talks with Amazon, Microsoft, and even WWE.
Gulf states will hoard all AI retail logistics investment.
Pakistan will miss the last bus to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Final Warning: This Is a Limited-Time Window

The April 2025 war reset won’t last forever.

If Pakistan delays, India will move in with offers.
If Pakistan goes “all in” with China, US tech investment will vanish.
If it moves too slow, Bangladesh or Vietnam might grab these global giants.

But if Pakistan moves now—strategically, smartly, and with flair—it can rewrite its global identity.

The Big Idea: Pakistan, the Connector of the New World Order

Not a pawn.
Not a proxy.
But a platform.

A platform where AI, crypto, retail, and geopolitics meet. Where Musk and Buffett break naan with Pakistani ministers. Where Digicon Valley becomes the Dubai of Tech, and Gwadar becomes the Singapore of Trade.

And where Pakistan finally steps into the arena of global relevance—not as a dependent—but as a decider.

"When the oil is hot and fritters are frying, invite everyone to your kitchen — Trump, Elon, Logan — and serve a buffet of bold ideas. Gwadar isn’t just a port anymore. It’s the launchpad of Planet Pakistan."

The New World Disorder