Pakistan's government has boosted its defense budget by over 20%, marking the largest increase in a decade, prompted by recent military confrontations with India. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced a total allocation of 2.55 trillion rupees ($9 billion) for the army, air force, and navy, now 1.97% of GDP. This defense escalation comes despite Pakistan's fragile economy, which relies heavily on IMF loans, raising concerns over potential cuts in social spending and the political fallout from undermining domestic welfare initiatives amid rising security risks with India.
Pakistan's recent decision to increase its defense budget by 20% reflects the ongoing tensions with India, necessitating a focus on military readiness amid economic vulnerabilities.
The Finance Minister emphasized the armed forces' importance in safeguarding national borders, even as the government's commitment to IMF oversight raises questions about social sector funding.
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