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Business Recorder
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Nationwide poverty explosion: PIDE challenges widely circulated narrative
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), while debunking the claims regarding a sharp increase in poverty in the country has clarified the situation, saying the rise in poverty statistics is primarily due to global metric recalibration rather than a sudden economic collapse. The Economic Think Tank with its latest report titled, 'The Poverty Illusion: When Numbers Distort Reality' has challenged the widely circulated narrative of a nationwide poverty explosion. The report, authored by Dr Nasir Iqbal, PIDE's registrar and associate professor, critically examines the World Bank's revised global poverty lines. The new $4.20 per day threshold, replacing the previous $3.20, has led to an increase in poverty statistics from 39.8 percent to 44.7percent. However, Dr Iqbal points out that more than 80percent of this increase is the result of shifting global poverty benchmarks, not a collapse in household conditions. Inflation and other factors account for just 18percent of the increase. As per the report, the extreme poverty, measured at $3 per day, has soared from 4.9 percent to 16.5 percent. The sharp uptick in poverty rates is largely the result of the World Bank's upward revision of global poverty lines. For lower-middle-income countries like Pakistan, the general poverty threshold has been increased from $3.20 to $4.20 per day. Likewise, the extreme poverty line has been revised upward from $2.15 to $3 per day. These changes represent a substantial recalibration of the baseline used to assess poverty. When the bar is raised, more people fall below it — not because their lives have deteriorated, but because the measurement standard has shifted. Dr Nadeem Javaid, vice chancellor (VC) of PIDE and member of the Planning Commission of Pakistan, stated, 'Policymaking must be grounded in facts, not fear. These revised figures reflect changes in how poverty is measured globally, not a dramatic decline in the livelihoods of Pakistanis.' Key insights from PIDE's analysis include the strength of the informal economy, which supports over 60 percent of Pakistan's workforce, absorbing economic shocks and offering resilience during crises. Social protection programmes such as the Ehsaas Programme and the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) have played significant roles in mitigating poverty. Additionally, remittances from overseas Pakistanis continue to provide vital support, cushioning households and bolstering the economy during times of distress. Even amid major economic shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2022 floods, PIDE estimates the poverty rate in 2025 to be between 23 percent and 25 percent, with food-based poverty pegged at just 6.2 percent, signalling consistent, long-term improvement. In light of these findings, PIDE has proposed a series of actions to address poverty with a data-driven approach. These include reinstating the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) to update data, refining BISP to link cash transfers with measurable outcomes like education, employment, and asset growth, and developing a National Poverty Reduction Strategy integrated with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure inclusive economic reforms. Additionally, PIDE calls for leveraging the informal economy through the creation of Village Economic Zones (VEZs) to boost rural employment and productivity via local value chains and agri-tech innovations. The VC PIDE emphasised, 'This is not a time for panic, but for rational, evidence-based policymaking that can turn perceived crises into opportunities for structural economic reform.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pak bags silver in Asian Doubles Squash final
Pakistan's Noor Zaman (far left) and and Nasir Iqbal (second from left) pose with Indian players Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar after the final of the Asian Doubles Squash in Kuching, Malaysia. PHOTO: PSA Pakistan on Thursday secured silver medal at the Asian Doubles Squash Championship after a valiant performance in the men's doubles final, where they went down 2-1 to arch-rivals India who bagged the gold medal after successfully defending the title in Malaysia. The Pakistani duo of Noor Zaman and Nasir Iqbal fought hard but eventually succumbed to the Indian pair of Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar, who successfully defended their Asian title with a 9-11, 11-5, 11-5 victory. The intense final lasted one hour and 27 minutes. It is pertinent to mention that Zaman and Iqbal had delivered an impressive campaign en route to the final. In the semifinals on Wednesday, the pair edged past host nation Malaysia in a tightly contested three-game match, winning 10-11, 11-9, 11-9 in a clash that stretched to one hour and eight minutes. They overcame Malaysia's experienced duo of Syafiq Kamal and Duncan Lee to book their place in the final. Earlier, Pakistan earned a 2-1 victory over Korea in the quarterfinals. The Iqbal-Zaman pair emerged victorious in another thrilling contest against Jiang Min Ryu and Jaijin Yoo, with game scores of 11-3, 5-11, 11-4. The Pakistani team also performed strongly in the group stage, where they secured qualification to the knockouts with a comprehensive win over Chinese Taipei. Nasir and Noor dispatched Chi Yu-Wei and Chen Ching-Fu in straight sets, 11-2, 11-9, in just 11 minutes. Seeded second in the tournament, Pakistan started their campaign on Monday with dominant wins over the Philippines (11-7, 11-4) and South Korea, showcasing consistent form throughout the championship. Individually, Noor Zaman had previously competed in the Asian Individual Squash Championship, where he bowed out in the pre-quarterfinals after a hard-fought five-game battle against Malaysia's Joachim Chuah. Battling a back spasm, Zaman lost the first two games 3-11, 3-11, made a comeback by taking the next two 11-3, 12-10, but eventually fell 2-11 in the decider.
Business Recorder
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Pakistan bags silver after tough loss to India in Asian Doubles Squash Championship final
Pakistan clinched the silver medal in the Asian Doubles Squash Championship after a hard-fought defeat to India in the men's doubles final held in Malaysia. In a thrilling contest that lasted 1 hour and 27 minutes, the Pakistani duo of Noor Zaman and Nasir Iqbal went down 2-1 to India's Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar. The Indian pair bounced back after losing the first game, eventually winning the match with scores of 9-11, 11-5, and 11-5. Despite a strong start, the Pakistani side was unable to hold off the Indian comeback, settling for second place in the prestigious regional tournament. The final showcased high-level competition between the arch-rivals, reflecting the growing intensity and talent in Asian squash.
Express Tribune
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pakistani duo advance to knockouts at Asian Squash Championship
Pakistan's Noor Zaman and Nasir Iqbal stormed into the quarterfinals of the Asian Doubles Squash Championship on June 24, following a commanding straight-games victory over Chinese Taipei. The duo made light work of their final group-stage opponents, defeating Chi Yu-Wei and Chen Ching-Fu 11–2, 11–9 in just 11 minutes to top Group B. With the win, they secured a place in the quarterfinals, where they were set to face South Korea later the same day. Zaman and Iqbal have remained unbeaten throughout the group stage, starting their campaign on Monday with two comprehensive victories. They opened with an 11–4, 11–1 win over South Korea, before overpowering the Philippines 11–7, 11–4 in their second match. Their consistent form has helped Pakistan finish at the top of their group, which also included teams from the Philippines, Singapore, and South Korea. The championship format features round-robin group matches over the first two days, followed by knockout rounds beginning on 25 June. The finals in the men's, women's and mixed doubles categories are scheduled for 26 June. Team coach Fahim Gul and contingent manager Amir Nawaz have been guiding the squad through the tournament in Kuching, where Pakistan now aims to continue its winning run in the knockout phase.
