WEALTH inequality and poverty in Pakistan have reached historic highs, with the national poverty rate climbing to roughly 28.9% and income inequality hitting a 27-year peak. Approximately 70 million citizens survive below the poverty line (and the number is rising with each day passing), while real household incomes have plummeted due to persistent inflation, weak economic growth and IMF programs. Data from the World Inequality Report illustrates an alarming concentration of the nation’s resources. According to World Inequality Report 2026, “the top 10% of earners capture 42% of total income, whereas the bottom 50% receive only 19%. Wealth is even more heavily concentrated. The richest 10% hold 59% of total wealth with the top 1% alone controlling 24%.

There are vast regional Imbalances as poverty is not distributed equally; rural areas suffer higher poverty rates (36.2%) and Balochistan faces a staggering 47% poverty rate compared to other regions like Punjab. This widening gulf is further compounded by a lack of access to basic public infrastructure. The reversal of past poverty-reduction efforts is closely tied to an over reliance on indirect taxes (which disproportionately burden the lower class), stagnant or informal wages and underfunded health and education sectors. Overall, income and wealth are highly concentrated in Pakistan with persistent gender disparities and only minor shifts in inequality trends,” the report observed. Interestingly, while Pakistan has been surviving on IMF bailouts, the media in the country is also blaming the IMF for........

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