Pakistan set to cut its Defence Budget

Islamabad : In an unexpected move, Pakistan's military has decided to cut the defence budget for the next fiscal year. The move comes with a view to improve economic situation of the cash-strapped nation.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) — the media wing of the military, in his twitter message on Tuesday, said that voluntary cuts in the defence budget for next fiscal year would not be at the cost of defence and security.

"Voluntary cut in the defence budget for a year will not be at the cost of defence & security. We shall maintain effective response potential to all threats. Three services will manage the impact of the cut through appropriate internal measures. It was important to participate in the development of tribal areas & Balochistan," Ghafoor said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan praised Pakistan Army for voluntarily coming forward to reduce the budget. Khan said he was grateful for the move that came “despite multiple security challenges” that Pakistan faces.

He elaborated that the funds will be utilised for the development of tribal areas in the nation.

Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry said this was “not a small step at all”. “Only strong civilian-military coordination can rescue Pakistan from the deep problems of Governance and economy,” Chaudhry said.

Pakistan in 2018 was the 20th biggest military spender in the world with an expenditure of USD 11.4 billion, a report published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) said in April.