EDITORIAL

In the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, where the economy teeters on the brink of collapse and millions grapple with abject poverty, the ruling elite continue to indulge in opulent displays of wealth that defy logic and decency. The recent second marriage of Junaid Safdar, son of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, exemplifies this glaring hypocrisy. Held in Lahore amid extravagant celebrations, the event drew widespread criticism for its lavish spending, with reports highlighting millions poured into designer outfits, bespoke jewelry, and high-end accessories. Maryam Nawaz herself became a focal point of backlash.

Social media erupted with accusations of self-obsession and insensitivity, as PML-N leaders, who preach austerity to the masses, flouted their own rules. This isn’t just a family affair; it’s a symptom of a deeper malaise. Punjab enforces a “one-dish” policy for weddings to curb extravagance and promote simplicity, a measure ostensibly aimed at easing the burden on ordinary citizens during economic hardship. Yet, for the rulers, no such constraints apply.  PML-N figures like Marriyum Aurangzeb also drew attention for their glow-ups and ensembles, further fueling perceptions of elitism.

 They urge the public to embrace frugality while their lifestyles scream excess. This double standard is why Pakistan stagnates: one set of rules for the rich and powerful, another for the impoverished masses. Nowhere in true democracies do such disparities thrive unchecked. In established systems, leaders are held accountable, and public funds aren’t siphoned for personal grandeur. But in Pakistan, the divide is stark. As of 2025, approximately 45% of the population lives below the poverty line, based on updated World Bank thresholds of $4.20 per day.

This translates to over 107 million people scraping by on less than PKR 1,200 daily, with extreme poverty affecting 16.5%—a sharp rise from previous estimates. The national poverty rate surged to 25.3% in 2023/24, pushing 60.4 million into destitution amid floods, inflation, and instability.

Half the population—close to 120 million—struggles below this grim benchmark, with 82% unable to afford a healthy diet.

The human cost is heartbreaking. People are dying of hunger; parents, in despair, have resorted to killing their children because they cannot feed them. Women are forced into selling themselves to make ends meet. Undernutrition accounts for nearly half of under-5 child deaths, with 61 per 1,000 live births not surviving to age five. Acute malnutrition affects 18% of children under five, and stunting impairs 40%.

 These aren’t abstract statistics; they’re the reality in a nation blessed with resources but cursed by mismanagement. Corruption rules supreme, infiltrating every government department. Not a single sector is free from it. Transparency International’s 2025 survey ranks the police as the most corrupt at 24%, followed by tendering and procurement at 16%, and the judiciary at 14%. Bribery is rampant in public services, with inefficient bureaucracy and impunity exacerbating the issue.

 The IMF’s diagnostic highlights systemic weaknesses, estimating that addressing corruption could boost GDP by 5-6.5% over five years.

Money makes the mare go here—tenders are rigged, budgets opaque, and political capture stifles progress. Officials engage in graft with little fear, as anti-corruption laws are poorly enforced.

The economy’s fragility compounds this. Pakistan runs on IMF loans and financial support from friends like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, but even that lifeline is fraying. As of January 2026, the government seeks rollovers on $2.5 billion from the UAE at lower interest rates, including a 1996 loan still unpaid at 6.5%. Saudi deposits total $5 billion, with maturities in 2026, part of $12 billion bilateral debts alongside China.

Under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility, these must remain intact, but optimism about ditching IMF aid soon rings hollow amid persistent crises. The country begs for extensions, unable to repay without them. When will we stand on our own feet? When will we stop begging and learn to live with dignity and honor? The rulers’ lavish spendings mock the poor’s suffering, perpetuating a cycle of inequality that hinders progress. True change demands accountability, transparent governance, and leaders who practice what they preach. Until then, Pakistan’s masses will continue to bear the brunt of elite indulgence, while the nation drifts further from prosperity.