One-third of Pakistanis live below poverty line, earn less than Rs. 3,030/month, says report

In our neighbouring country Pakistan, nearly 60 million people live below the poverty line, says a  report from Pakistan's Planning Commission. The report estimates that adults in up to 7.6 million households are earning less than Rs 3,030 per month ($30), making almost a third of the country poor. As per the report, poverty levels have risen to 29.5 percent from nine percent under former estimates. Released on Thursday, the report calculates poverty by the cost of basic needs (CBN) rather than by food energy intake (FEI) as used to be earlier. It said the change was made in accordance with best international practices. It is pertinent to mentiion here that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been attempting to boost country's economy which is dragged down by security issues and a crippling energy crisis.