Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to work with the government of Pakistan to advance economic rights and strengthen social protection for the country’s most vulnerable citizens.
But the HRW has highlighted that even IMF’s adjustments and help would not be enough for Pakistan.
With poverty, inflation, and unemployment at record highs, HRW says that the rights of millions of people to health, food, and an adequate standard of living are being threatened. HRW is calling for the IMF and the government to prioritize and protect low-income people as they address the current economic crisis.
The Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), a government cash transfer program, is in place but needs to be expanded to protect the population from potential IMF-mandated measures that could raise prices for necessities. The conditions set by the IMF on its loan could either relieve or worsen the economic hardship faced by the people of Pakistan.