The budget was already on a tightrope; whether it walks it or falls depends less on what happens in Islamabad and more on goings-on in Washington and Tehran
Two million households can now receive payments through cheques, ATMs or direct transfers via Raast, eliminating the need for elderly customers to stand in long queues.
Pakistan’s youth bulge was supposed to be its economic trump card, but it is now being nullified by nutritional shortfalls, exploitative employment and a lack of opportunities.
Ex-finance minister Hafeez Pasha says foreign inflows could encourage disproportionate investment in real-estate; PIDE sees around a million workers’ livelihoods being affected if conflict prolongs.
Earning too much to qualify for assistance, but too little to survive surging prices, white-collar families are slipping through the cracks of a historic cost-of-living crisis.
Marriage halls increase rates or avoid long-term pricing commitments due to economic uncertainty; govt austerity measures have led to stricter enforcement of wedding regulations.
Experts and masses are dazed alike by the whirlwind changes due to the recent conflict, including a rapidly shifting petrol price and the return of $3.5bn in debt to the UAE.
