Between light and darkness: Pakistan's energy dreams in the belt and road initiative

Pakistan's privileged geographical position in the region, which facilitates Beijing's connectivity projects, is increasingly undermined by the subordination of domestic priorities to an external donor, namely China. In certain ways, this logic aligns with the dependency theory perspective, highlighting persistent patterns of vulnerability and asymmetry in the global arena. This structural dependence raises concerns about Islamabad's strategic autonomy, economic development, and long-term sovereignty. By studying the emergence of new irregular relations within South–South dynamics, this article challenges the conventional North–South framework, thus expanding the analytical scope of International Relations. We argue that this relationship exemplifies a new form of imperialism, evident in the unequal interactions between strong and weak powers within the developing world. This contribution is exemplified through the analysis of the strategic dilemmas arising from Chinese support to Pakistan's energy sector, through the lens of a realist approach, seeking to determine to what extent these investments strengthen state sovereignty or deepen its exposure to contemporary forms of subordination. This article employs a qualitative approach grounded in International Relations, combining realist and dependency theory perspectives. It analyses primary and secondary sources, including policy documents and scholarly literature, to assess how CPEC energy projects affect Pakistan's sovereignty and strategic autonomy. The findings suggest that the Sino-Pakistani relationship illustrates a new form of imperialism within the Global South, where stronger states influence weaker partners through economic and strategic leverage. This challenges the conventional North-South dependency framework. While Chinese support enhances Pakistan's material capacity, it simultaneously deepens exposure to subordination, raising critical questions about sovereignty under asymmetric partnerships.