Cut in Pakistan’s defence budget is desirable, but not easy | The Indian Express

Cut in Pakistan’s defence budget is desirable, but not easy | The Indian Express

Written by Ayesha Siddiqa |Updated: June 24, 2019 8:20:52 am

The writer, an Islamabad-based independent political and defence analyst, is author, most recently, of ‘Military Inc: Inside Pakistan’s Military Economy’.

Cut in Pakistan’s defence budget is desirable, but not easy

While one remains unsure of how much reduction will actually be brought about, the fact remains that cutting excess fat in the government, especially the defence sector, is possible.

Creating the impression that the military is cutting defence spending is vital to impress the IMF, which is the only organisation willing to provide cash to Pakistan to sustain the economy.

The Pakistan army’s public relations agency, the ISPR, recently announced cuts in the defence budget as the military’s contribution to tough times. It was also stated that the money would be spent on development of the tribal areas and Balochistan without compromising the military’s war preparedness. Notwithstanding the fact that the DG ISPR, a mere major general, jumped the gun by taking upon himself the authority of the current civilian government to announce how the money saved by the military would be spent, it draws attention towards the issue of how much is really needed to defend the country.