The World Bank yesterday urged Pakistan to take rapid action to avert an economic crisis as Yusuf Raza Gilani, the newly elected prime minister, consulted with his advisers to prepare a package of economic incentives for poorer Pakistanis hit by the fallout from increases in oil and food prices.

"There is not yet a crisis, but the economic picture for Pakistan is not good," said Praful Patel, World Bank vice-president for south Asia, at the end of a visit to Pakistan.