The Ministry of Finance has released data on the increasing poverty rate in Pakistan. Adviser to the Finance Minister, Karam Shahzad, stated that the poverty rate was 21.9% in 2018-2019, which has now increased to 28.9% by 2024-2025. He attributed this to the COVID-19 pandemic, global inflation, and geographical tensions affecting the Pakistani economy.
Islamabad is facing record-high inflation, weak economic growth, and a decline in agriculture and basic infrastructure in rural areas. Shahzad stated that the 2022 and 2025 floods have severely affected employment, agriculture, and basic infrastructure in rural areas. He added that Pakistan has implemented three reform programs with IMF assistance, which have led to short-term pressure for long-term benefits. Villages have been affected by environmental crises and rising costs, while cities are struggling with inflation and slow economic growth.
Shahzad emphasized that poverty in Pakistan is being addressed through social protection, provincial expenditures, and targeted development programs. In a separate incident, a young girl was allegedly assaulted in Karachi’s Liaquatabad area, and a suspect was arrested.
Punjab Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, inaugurated the CM Green Tractor Program Phase 3 in Lahore. In a separate incident, a woman was allegedly murdered in Karachi’s Lyari Chakiwara area, and the suspects fled the scene.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UN, Munir Akram, met with British Foreign Secretary, Elizabeth Truss, to discuss the Palestine issue. In a separate incident, a passenger experienced a medical emergency on an Iranian flight.
A gas leak led to a fire in a residential building in Karachi, causing damage to several apartments. Punjab Minister, Khawaja Saad Rafique, stated that the provincial government is committed to addressing the energy crisis.
In international news, Iran has expressed a desire to lift sanctions, but the US has shown no willingness to negotiate. Iranian officials have stated that a reasonable timeframe is necessary to resolve the issue.
In cricket news, England defeated Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup 2026, advancing to the next round. Analysts have expressed concerns about the economic crisis in Pakistan, citing record-high inflation and weak economic growth.
In a separate statement, Sindh Minister, Sharjeel Memon, stated that some individuals are politicizing every issue, causing unnecessary panic. He emphasized that the government is committed to addressing the energy crisis and improving the economy.
In a rare display of unity, opposition leaders from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, PTI, and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, JUI, met in Islamabad to discuss the economic crisis. PTI leader, Fawad Chaudhry, stated that the government’s claims of economic improvement are baseless.
In a separate statement, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, PML-N, leader, Rana Sanaullah, stated that the government is trying to negotiate political settlements, but no concrete decisions have been made.
