Pakistan, Nov. 1 -- In the comity of nations, the progress, prosperity and development of a nation is neither measured merely by the height of its buildings, the length of its highways, nor its defence capabilities or the headline figures of its gross domestic product. The real test of development is ascertained in terms of the quality of life of its ordinary citizens; whether they can afford food, education, healthcare, housing and a dignified standard of living. By this measure, Pakistan faces an increasingly disturbing reality: while several countries in South Asia have made significant progress in poverty reduction, Pakistan is struggling to protect even its previous gains.

The World Bank's October 2026 Poverty and Equity Brief repor...