You’re dreaming if you don’t think there’s a large amount of marketing involved in getting investors to ignore some of the world’s worst economic disparities (and the largest single population of poor people in the entire world), and instead focus on the small segment of the population that’s enjoying the benefits of economic growth.
I’ve seen how the media deals with India and Pakistan. Indian poverty is acknowledged as an afterthought in the international media between stories about shiny new shopping malls and call centers. And yet, despite the fact that it has less poverty than India, stories about Pakistan seem to focus exclusively on the poor and virtually ignore economic development there. The few stories that are done about new businesses or fashion shows or other trappings of economic success are often written in incredibly patronizing tones. Again, that’s pure marketing.
I’m not Pakistani. And frankly, at the end of the day, the per capita GDPs are virtually the same.
And for God’s sake, the term is “firangi.” If you’re going to speak Urglish, at least do so correctly.