IMF aside, be proud of your poverty. There is something of value in it. The poverty is because of lack of FDI, keeping Pakistan on the FATF grey list indefinitely, restricting the growth of CPEC, harsh conditions imposed on Pakistan's economy through IMF/WB, West restricting military sales to Pakistan and quite a few other ways. However, the poverty allows Pakistan to not give in to the diktats of others at the expense of its own long term interests.
The easiest example, for those breaking out of poverty, is to look no further than a specific country in the region. However, there are implied costs for this supposed progress. Too soon to tell what and how it will impact them but Pakistan has taken a position which will result in the country being punished and constantly kept on a tight leash. Hopefully this will build resilience and self-dependence.
For good or bad, in Iran there is a contrarian example that should be kept in mind. Not all is well there, but there are aspects that we can learn from and internalize.
