Privilege in Pakistan
Privilege in Pakistan: Recent reports show this clearly. Poverty has reached record levels, yet the Punjab government bought a luxury jet for top officials. The elite live in comfort while millions struggle to survive.
About 29% of Pakistan’s population, around 70 million people, live below the poverty line of Rs8,484 per month. Millions of children do not go to school. The country owes large debts to foreign lenders. Despite international bailouts, the economy remains weak. The ruling elite continue to spend lavishly, ignoring ordinary people.
Luxury vs Poverty
The luxury jet for Punjab’s chief minister is more than just an expensive purchase. It shows the government’s priorities and unchecked power. The government also spends billions on media campaigns to appear successful. These ads cannot hide rising poverty and inequality. In Punjab, poverty rose from 16.5% to 23.3% over seven years, mainly in rural and underdeveloped southern districts. Unemployment exceeds 7%, the highest in 21 years.
Wealth Inequality
The gap between rich and poor keeps growing. Urban areas have more wealth than rural ones. About 39.5% of people face multiple types of poverty. The richest 10% own around 60% of national wealth. Many children in rural areas miss school. Half of rural women never attended school. Marginalized communities lack healthcare and basic services.
Funding Gaps
Poverty varies across provinces. Punjab is better off, but Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan are worse. Poverty rates reach 35% in KP and 47% in Balochistan. Punjab gets most of the funding. Balochistan and former Fata districts in KP get very little. This creates unrest and frustration.
Many districts in Balochistan and KP lack health, education, and infrastructure. In the poorest areas of Balochistan, 65% of people live in temporary homes. Half have no toilets, and 40% lack clean water. Roads, transport, and communication are limited. Former Fata districts also have many people living below the poverty line. The government promised Rs100 billion per year for ten years after merging Fata with KP. Yet it released only a small portion of this money.
Minerals, Not People
The government spends billions on luxury items in Punjab but neglects underdeveloped and war-affected regions. Poverty drives militancy. Many young people in KP and Balochistan join militant groups because they lack jobs and rights. Even though these regions have rich minerals, the government focuses on attracting foreign investors rather than helping locals.
Inequality, denial of rights, and elite neglect have created a dangerous situation. The ruling class ignores its severity. The luxury jet for Punjab’s chief minister shows the elite-dominated power system in a country where millions suffer.
Published in Dawn, 24th February 2026
