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Pakistan has surpassed India in a recent Global Economic Survey, showcasing improved economic and peace-related performance ahead of the world average. According to the Global Economic Survey conducted in 60 countries, 51% of Pakistanis are optimistic about the coming year, outshining India’s 39% and the world average of 24%.
The survey also revealed that 53% of Pakistanis believe 2026 will be a year of prosperity, with a net positive trend of 31% overall. In terms of peace, 52% of Pakistanis are hopeful that the world will experience increased peace, a figure significantly higher than India’s 26%.
The Global Economic Survey marks a notable milestone for Pakistan, with its optimism levels comparable to those recorded in 1994, the highest since then. Meanwhile, in other news, a 2-day-old police operation in Karachi’s Orangi Sector 9 resulted in the arrest of two dacoits.
A severe fog hit various parts of Punjab, affecting daily life and forcing the closure of several motorway sections. Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, stated that Pakistan’s achievements in the war on terrorism have earned it a unique position on the global stage, while Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving issues.
Renowned scholar Engineer Muhammad Ali Mirza stated that PTI leaders, including Imran Khan, are facing unprecedented hardship, with 2 years of imprisonment being a rarity. In a separate incident, a report by the Statistics Agency revealed a significant increase in digital connectivity in Pakistan, with 96% of households owning a mobile phone or smartphone.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) issued a warning due to the severe fog, while former cricketer Shahid Afridi expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with the establishment to address provincial issues. A wounded deer was spotted in the Pind Dadan Khan area of Punjab, believed to have been injured by stray dogs.
Separately, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and IG Sindh Javed Ahmed, while four unidentified bodies were discovered near Karachi’s Mian Channu area. The PTI has accused the government of trying to shift the blame for its failures, while the PM emphasized the importance of privatizing state-owned enterprises to address economic challenges.
