Shehbaz Sharif proposes significant rise in defence spending

The government, under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif, has proposed a substantial 17.62% rise in defence spending for the upcoming fiscal year 2024-25, amounting to a total of Rs2.122 trillion. This increase is primarily aimed at enhancing the country's defence capabilities and supporting the armed forces.

Within this budget, a significant portion of Rs0.815 trillion will be allocated towards employee-related expenses, including salaries and allowances for defence personnel. This allocation represents a notable increase from the previous fiscal year, indicating the government's commitment to supporting its military workforce.

Despite the overall increase in the defence budget, the share of defence spending as a percentage of the total federal budget has decreased slightly. In the previous fiscal year, defence accounted for 12.47% of the total budget, whereas in the upcoming year, it will constitute 11.24% of the total budget of Rs18.877 trillion.

The rise in the defence budget can be attributed to the substantial increase in government employee salaries, which have seen a 22 to 25% hike. Key allocations in the proposed defence budget include Rs0.548 trillion for physical assets, Rs0.5133 trillion for operational expenses, and Rs0.244 trillion for civil works.

Specifically, the budget allocates Rs1.009 trillion for the Pakistan Army, Rs0.451 trillion for the Pakistan Air Force, Rs0.2303 trillion for the Pakistan Navy, and Rs0.4314 trillion for other defence establishments. A comparison with India's defence budget highlights that Pakistan's proposed budget of $7.59 billion is significantly lower than India's $75 billion allocation for the same period.

The government's decision to increase defence spending reflects its prioritization of national security and the well-being of defence personnel. While the budget allocation signifies a boost in various defence sectors, it also underscores the need for strategic financial planning to ensure optimal resource utilization and efficiency in defence operations.