Pakistan, June 5 -- Every few years, a familiar scene plays out in Pakistan: the government announces a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), promising economic stability in exchange for reforms. Officials declare it a "necessary sacrifice" while trying to sound upbeat. But outside the air-conditioned press conferences, electricity bills skyrocket, petrol prices jump overnight, and a frustrated public wonders: "Who is this sacrifice really for?"
Pakistan's latest plan with the IMF, under a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility, is no different. As the government struggles to unlock the next phase of funding, it's also fighting another, more unpredictable force, which is public rage. In 2023 and 2024, Pakistan saw unprecedented infla...