95 million Pakistanis live in poverty: The World Bank
According to the World Bank, poverty in Pakistan surged from 34.2% to 39.4% within a year, pushing 12.5 million more individuals below the poverty line.
Since last year, Pakistan has faced a dire economic situation that has left millions struggling to make ends meet. According to the World Bank, poverty in Pakistan surged from 34.2% to 39.4% within a year, pushing 12.5 million more individuals below the poverty line, which is set at a daily income of $3.65. As a result, 95 million Pakistanis now live in poverty.
Since taking over the government in April 2022, the PDM government has driven the economy into a downward spiral. GDP growth has shrunk from 6.1% in FY22 to 0.3% in FY23. Foreign exchange reserves have plummeted to alarmingly low levels, exports and remittances have declined sharply, the Pakistani rupee has nosedived to historic lows, and over 80 million people are estimated to have become unemployed. Pakistan’s per capita income has dropped 11% from $1,765 to $1,568 as the country stands on the brink of default.
Meanwhile, inflation has shot to record-high levels, with CPI averaging 27.5% in the last 16 months, going as high as 38%.
At the same time, the government of Pakistan has shut down nearly all social welfare and anti-poverty programmes, including the Sehat card, Ehsaas, and shelter homes.
It should be noted that this economic collapse was triggered by the political instability that has ensued since the ouster of Imran Khan’s government. The new PDM government, imposed on the country without a public mandate, and the military have unleashed a wave of terror on Pakistani citizens, trampled on all fundamental human and civil rights, subverted the Constitution by indefinitely delaying elections, and denied Pakistanis their right to vote.
We demand the Pakistani administration reinstate the social protection programmes so the underprivileged can be shielded from the soaring inflation in the country. We also urge the international community to raise their voice against the gross human rights violations and the derailment of democracy in Pakistan.
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