Dhaka, Nov. 1 -- Pakistan is driving the rise in extreme poverty across West Asia, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan (MENAAP), with nearly half of the region's poorest people now living there, World Bank says.

The finding comes from the October edition of the bank's Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan Economic Update, published on Oct 6.

It forecasts Pakistan's economy will grow by 3.8 percent in the 2026-27 fiscal year, while its fiscal deficit will stand at 3.5 percent of gross domestic product.

The region has suffered severe economic losses from the conflict that began in February 2026, the report says.

Unlike previous energy crises, when oil-exporting countries generally benefited, Gulf oil producers have born...