Increased Military Budget in Pakistan: A 20% Boost Following India-Pakistan Conflict, Amid Shrinking Total Expenditures in Islamabad's New Budget
Pakistan increases defense spending by 20%, reaching 2.55 trillion rupees ($9 billion) in the upcoming fiscal year 2025-2026. This move comes just weeks after a nerve-wracking standoff with longtime rival India, narrowly avoiding a fifth war.
The new budget, announced on Tuesday, reveals a stark contrast from the overall spending, which is set to shrink by 7% to 17.57 trillion rupees ($62 billion). Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif aims to stimulate growth and strengthen Pakistan's military force in the aftermath of the most severe conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations in almost three decades.
The violently charged confrontation between the two nations lasted several days in May, with both sides exchanging fire with fighter jets, missiles, drones, and artillery. A ceasefire was eventually declared, ending the hostilities.
The chaos was triggered by a lethal attack on Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22. India accused Pakistan of supporting the attack, while Pakistan denies any involvement. Economists anticipated a 20% increase in defense spending, with the additional funds likely to be balanced by reduced spending on development projects, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, India's defense spending for the same fiscal year is set to rise nearly 10% compared to the previous year, amounting to about ₹6.81 lakh crore (approximately $78.8–$82.5 billion). This figure represents a record high for India and is approximately 1.9% of its GDP.
This continued investment in military modernization and strategic autonomy by both Pakistan and India underscores the ongoing tensions and strategic push for defense preparedness in the region.
- The new defense spending, a 20% increase bringing it to 2.55 trillion rupees ($9 billion) in Pakistan's upcoming fiscal year 2025-2026, is a.
- This rise in defense spending, a contrast to the overall shrinking budget by 7%, is part of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's policy-and-legislation to stimulate economic growth while strengthening Pakistan's military force in response to the severe conflict with India.
- The war-and-conflicts between Pakistan and India, narrowly avoiding a fifth war, have become a major focus of general-news, with the violently charged confrontation lasting several days in May, causing a breakdown in diplomatic relations and impacting the region's politics.
- Meanwhile, the sports sector may face challenging times in the context of the increased defense spending and reduced spending on development projects, as the economy, war, and politics dominate the nation's immediate concerns and priorities.
