Pak announces 10 per cent increase in defence budget

TIL Desk/World/Islamabad/ Pakistans finance minister announced a 10 per cent increase in defence spending as part of a new federal budget as opposition politicians criticised his appointment to the post just hours earlier.

Finance Minister Miftah Ismail presented the 2018-2019 budget in the National Assembly on Friday. In his televised speech, Ismail said the budget also promises more funds for health, education and social programs.

For the first time in Pakistan, defence outlay crossed the Rs 1 trillion mark. The allocation for 2018-19 shows an increase of Rs 180 billion as compared to the spending by the armed forces in the outgoing fiscal year. The figures also do not include the Rs 260 billion allocated for the pensions of military personnel, which will be given from the civilian budget.

Out of the whole defence budget, Pakistan army gets 47 per cent, 20 per cent goes to Pakistan air force, and Pakistan navy gets around 10 per cent, said defence ministry officials.

According to the budget document 2018-19, out of the Rs1,100 billion, Rs423 billion have been allocated for employee-related expenses, Rs253.5 billion for operating expenses, Rs282 billion for local purchases and import of arms and ammunition, and Rs141 billion for civil works.