Islamabad, Feb. 21 -- Pakistan's poverty rate has soared to 29%, the highest in 11 years, while income inequality has climbed to its worst level in nearly three decades, exposing deep cracks in the country's economic management. According to a government survey, nearly 70 million Pakistanis now live below the monthly poverty threshold of Rs 8,484, as reported by The Express Tribune.

According to The Express Tribune, the preliminary findings for fiscal year 2024-25 show poverty has jumped 32% compared to 2018-19, when the last survey was conducted.

The poverty ratio stood at 21.9% in 2019 but has now surged to 28.9%, marking the highest level since 2014. At the same time, income inequality has reached 32.7, the steepest since 1998. Rural...