{
  "id": 17172592,
  "title": "Subsidy is not a dirty word: Pakistan should give the poor a ramp, not just a floor",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/subsidy-is-not-a-dirty-word-pakistan-should-give-the-poor-a-ramp-not",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-30T04:00:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn Business",
    "slug": "dawn-business",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2040922/subsidy-is-not-a-dirty-word-pakistan-should-give-the-poor-a-ramp-not-just-a-floor"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tesla's success is a testament to the power of public investment. In the United States, it borrowed $465 million from a federal programme aimed at promoting cleaner vehicles. The company paid back its loan with interest nine years early, becoming a star case study. Notably, Pakistan's financial institutions are hesitant to lend to priority sectors without the state sharing the risk and cost. This stance contrasts with more progressive economies like China and those employing regulated markets. Instead of viewing subsidies as a disadvantage, Pakistan should consider them as a stepping stone towards wealth creation. By providing concessional credit to small businesses, Pakistan can help lift families out of poverty and foster sustainable income growth. This approach, seen in countries like Britain and Germany, involves targeting specific groups and offering interest-free loans or low-interest rates, with the state covering the difference. The proposal suggests allocating a portion of BISP's budget to an enterprise window, providing training, mentorship, and supportive measures for borrowers. This initiative could potentially fund over a million small businesses, fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth. The key is to maintain the integrity of existing support systems like BISP while introducing complementary mechanisms that encourage wealth creation.",
  "summary": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2040901/quintessential-capitalism",
  "key_points": [
    "Pakistan hesitant to lend without state risk sharing",
    "Concessional credit can lift families out of poverty",
    "BISP budget could fund over a million small businesses"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}