> In a democracy, yes. Pakistan however is a democracy only in distant theory, pretty much everyone sane calls it an authoritarian regime [1]

No I reject this and neo-liberal views of the world. That’s the mental model that got us into the Iraq debacle. What follows is that this becomes a problem (authoritarianism) that needs to be corrected “spread democracy”.

> These people do not have a choice - either openly (e.g. China) or in practice (Pakistan, Russia, Iran).

There is always a choice. Democracies weren’t inherent in the world but had to be fought for. They need to fight for their rights. Or not. It’s their responsibility.

> Pakistanis, especially in rural areas, are barely literate [2], and we're talking basic literacy here. Informed decisions require the ability to both access and understand relevant information.

Same was true during the age of European colonialism. “We must christianize them and educate them”. &c &c

> Americans (as a whole) are at least better suited.

As long as you agree Americans are better and exceptional I can’t really argue against you here.