What We Are Reading Today: The Great Escape by Angus Deaton
The world is a better place than it used to be. People are healthier, wealthier, and live longer. Yet the escapes from destitution by so many has left gaping inequalities between people and nations.
In The book tells the remarkable story of how, beginning 250 years ago, some parts of the world experienced sustained progress.
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Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
PM urges trickle-down effect of development schemes in insurgency-hit Balochistan
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed the need to ensure a trickle-down effect of his government's developmental initiatives in the southwestern Balochistan province, Sharif's office said on Sunday, amid a surge in militant attacks in the region. Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but most impoverished province, has been the site of a long-running insurgency that has intensified in recent months, with separatist militants attacking security forces, government officials and installations and people from other provinces who they see as 'outsiders.' The Pakistani government says it has launched several development schemes relating to infrastructure, health and education for some 15 million people of Balochistan, which is also home to deep seaport being built by China, gold, copper and coal mines, and has a long coast on the Arabian Sea. Speaking to tribal elders during his visit to the provincial capital of Quetta, PM Sharif highlighted the series of developmental programs undertaken by his government for the prosperity of Balochistan and called on officials to ensure that their benefits reach the people of the southwestern Pakistani province. 'He praised the people of Balochistan for their historic role in safeguarding national unity and urged them to remain vigilant against foreign-backed subversion and sabotage orchestrated and sponsored by India,' Sharif's office said. 'The jirga [council of tribal elders] concluded with a unanimous pledge from tribal elders to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Government of Pakistan and armed forces, reaffirming their commitment to the security, stability and development of Balochistan.' Pakistan and India often accuse each other of supporting militancy. Islamabad blames India of backing the separatist insurgency in Balochistan as well as religiously motivated militant groups, like the Pakistani Taliban, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. India denies the allegations. Sharif announced that Balochistan will receive 25 percent share from the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP), which funds infrastructure, energy, education and other long-term projects, in the upcoming budget. 'I think that PSDP will be of Rs1,000 billion [in the next budget],' he told the gathering. 'So, out of this [amount], a fund of approximately Rs250 billion is for Balochistan alone. That is, 25 percent of the total federal PSDP for Balochistan.' Addressing the challenge of militancy in the province, Sharif called for engagement at the grassroots level to ensure that militants find no social space. 'This was crucial for the success of counter terrorism efforts and for the long-term peace and stability,' he said. On the occasion, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who accompanied the prime minister to Balochistan, emphasized that Pakistan's army was fully alert and prepared to respond decisively to any threat. 'Peace in Balochistan is non-negotiable and that the future of Pakistan is directly linked to a stable, prosperous Balochistan,' he was quoted as saying by Sharif's office. Sharif also visited the military's Command and Staff College in Quetta and addressed student officers and faculty, reflecting his government's commitment to strengthening Pakistan's defense institutions amidst evolving regional and internal security dynamics. 'The prime minister highlighted the critical importance of professional excellence, operational readiness, and strategic foresight in the face of emerging and hybrid threats, especially in sensitive regions like Balochistan,' Sharif's office said.
Arab News
a day ago
- Arab News
PM Sharif announces 25% federal development share for insurgency-hit Balochistan
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday said Pakistan's restive southwestern province of Balochistan will receive 25% share from the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) in the upcoming budget, as the government continues to grapple with a decades-long separatist insurgency that has surged in recent years. Balochistan, Pakistan's largest but least populated province, is strategically significant as the centerpiece of the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major infrastructure development and regional connectivity initiative linking western China to the Arabian Sea. While the state touts CPEC as a game-changer for the region's development, Baloch separatist groups accuse the government of exploiting the province's vast mineral resources without benefiting the local population. Officials reject the narrative, pointing to ongoing investments in various sectors aimed at improving livelihoods. Sharif announced the allocation while addressing a grand jirga, an assembly of provincial elders and influential figures alongside top military leadership, in Quetta, where he reaffirmed the government's commitment to Balochistan's development. 'I think that PSDP will be of Rs1,000 billion [in the next budget],' he told the gathering. 'So, out of this [amount], a fund of approximately Rs250 billion is for Balochistan alone. That is, 25% of the total federal PSDP for Balochistan.' The PSDP is Pakistan's central development program used to fund infrastructure, energy, education and other long-term public investment projects across the country. It includes both federal initiatives and financial support for provincial projects, particularly in underdeveloped regions like Balochistan. The prime minister said the allocation was the province's 'right.' 'Along with this,' he continued, 'these resources should be used transparently, whether it is Gwadar, whether it is Pasni, whether it is Chaman, whether it is Killa Saifullah, whether it is Quetta, whether it is Jhal Magsi or any other areas,' he continued. 'Every single penny there should be used honestly for the development and prosperity of the people.' Addressing the challenge of militancy in the province, Sharif said efforts must continue to bring back 'misguided' individuals who had joined militant groups. He acknowledged Balochistan's history of economic deprivation, while reiterating that those engaged in violence offer no solutions. 'Terrorists do not know anything but brutality,' he said. Calling for national unity, Sharif maintained: 'Let's sit together and talk. It is only by sitting together that a family becomes strong and prosperous. No evil eye can harm a united household.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
6 days ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
SDRPY Provides Comprehensive Educational Support across Yemeni Governorates
In line with Saudi Arabia's commitment to Yemen's development and stability, the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) has launched pioneering development projects and initiatives that have significantly improved the quality of education across various Yemeni governorates, SPA reported. This support reflects the Kingdom's dedication to building a sustainable and inclusive educational future that contributes to Yemen's advancement and prosperity. The program's efforts span general and higher education, as well as technical and vocational training, through the implementation of 56 educational projects and initiatives across 11 Yemeni governorates: Aden, Taiz, Marib, Hadhramout, Shabwah, Socotra, Al Mahrah, Lahij, Abyan, Hajjah, and Al Dhale. To ensure continuity and access to education, the program has provided school and university transportation services through designated buses that transport students from their homes to educational institutions and back. This initiative has improved school attendance and eased the burden on families, particularly in remote areas facing challenging conditions. These educational projects and initiatives are part of a broader effort comprising 264 development projects and initiatives across various sectors in Yemen, including education, health, water, energy, transportation, agriculture and fisheries, institutional capacity building, and integrated development programs.
