‘Chicken At Rs 800/Kg, Rice At Rs 340/Kg’: Can Pakistan’s Struggling Economy Handle A War with India?

As Pakistan grapples with an economic crisis of unprecedented proportions, the country faces a dire situation where soaring inflation and skyrocketing food prices have left millions struggling to make ends meet. For instance, the price of chicken has soared to an eye-watering Rs 798.89 per kilogram, while rice costs around Rs 340 per kilogram. Other staples like eggs and milk are also seeing significant price hikes, with eggs priced at Rs 332 per dozen and milk at Rs 224 per litre. With over 10 million people at risk of starvation due to food insecurity, Pakistan’s economic outlook is bleak. Amidst these challenges, the nation’s tensions with neighbouring India are escalating, raising the question: Can Pakistan afford a military confrontation with India while already battling its worst financial crisis in decades? The World Bank’s forecast highlights that adverse climatic conditions, particularly in rural areas, will hurt Pakistan’s major crops such as rice and maize. This could ...