War in the Middle East is worsening economic crisis in Pakistan.
Soon after the war between the US, Israel and Iran began, its ripple effects were evident.
Pakistan stands out as one of the countries paying a heavy price.
It’s heavily dependent on energy supplies from the Gulf.
And with the Strait of Hormuz blocked, the government increased the fuel price twice in a month.
The increases triggered mass protests, with people furious at the government’s decision to pass on the burden of higher costs.
Why is Pakistan more vulnerable to the current crisis than other countries?
Presenter: Rishaad Salamat
Guests:
Kaiser Bengali – Economist and former head of the Chief Minister’s Policy Reform Unit for Balochistan
Michael Kugelman – Senior fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council
Ali Salman – Founder and CEO of the Policy Research Institute of Market Economy
Published On 4 Apr 2026