Published on, Sept. 18 -- September 18, 2025 6:13 AM

Glancing at the World Bank's statement or the IMF's review of the EFF in May 2025, things could not seem more rosy. With a real GDP growth rate of 2.7%, inflation falling to 4.7%, lower interest rates at 11% and a current account surplus, Pakistan's fiscal performance has been labelled "strong," with policymakers cheering the macroeconomic rebound their policies have brought about. However, a cursory look at the streets reveals that ordinary Pakistanis do not share this enthusiasm at all. Instead, a horrifying reality emerges, filled with starvation, homelessness, poverty, child malnutrition, and illiteracy. Coupled with nationwide floods and torrential rains, the situation has turned ...