Divya Delhi: Trump claims Pakistan sits atop a vast black gold bed. How does he know? General Asim Munir reportedly told him during lunch at the White House a few weeks back. General Munir also pledged that American oil majors, some of whom funded the Republican's campaign, would acquire drilling rights first, much to Donald's joy. Trump joked Pakistan could sell oil to India. The narrative is entertaining, but reality is different. Pakistan is not oil-rich like Saudi Arabia or Iraq. Still dependent on imports, its exploration record is poor and its reserves are inconclusive. Global companies have avoided Pakistan since they don't see much. It makes sense. If oil were a savior, Islamabad would have used it decades ago. Why wouldn't a shaky economy that imports millions of dollars of oil want to save money? Suppose a windfall existed. Pakistan's collapsing state: saved? Hardly. What has oil riches done to make Pakistan's neighbors Gulf states good governance hubs? The Gulf's glittering skylines hide autocratic elites, closed political systems, migrant exploitation, and moral policing. Even without oil, Pakistan has certain traits like its Gulf neighbors. It relies on tribal patronage networks, military control, and religious obscurantism, not democracy or enterprise. Hydrocarbons would worsen the situation. Petrodollars would strengthen the army, stifle opposition, and fund foreign adventurism. Pakistan's dysfunction would worsen without reform. Possible dissolution.