Pakistan's $50 billion budget aims for growth amidst crisis and IMF pressure.

Pakistan's government has unveiled a $50.5bn budget, with over half set aside to service $25.5bn of debt. The country's economy has been hit by a balance-of-payments crisis as it attempts to service crippling external debt, while months of political chaos have scared off potential foreign investment. About $6.6bn was earmarked for vote-winning development projects ahead of a general election later this year, while other populist measures include civil service pay rises of up to 35%, and a 17.5% increase for state pensions.