Pakistan's Poverty Soars to 11-Year High, Inequality Worst in Three Decades

• Pakistan's poverty rate has hit 29%, the highest in 11 years, with nearly 70 million people living below the monthly poverty threshold of Rs 8,484.
• Income inequality has reached its worst level in nearly three decades at 32.7, with rural communities disproportionately affected.
• Poverty in villages rose sharply from 28.2% to 36.2%, while urban poverty climbed from 11% to 17.4%.
• Real household incomes declined by 12% over seven years due to inflation outpacing earnings, and unemployment reached a 21-year high of 7.1%.
• IMF-backed stabilization measures, including subsidy cuts and energy price hikes, have intensified inflationary pressures, with citizens bearing the cost of flawed policies.