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First Post
2 days ago
- Business
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Can debt-ridden Pakistan afford to hike its defence budget?
Pakistan is expected to raise its defence budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The country's Planning Minister, Ahsan Iqbal, confirmed the move over the weekend, citing tensions with India as the reason. This comes as Islamabad's total public debt has reached a staggering PKR 76 trillion (around $269 billion), as per its economic survey 2024-25. However, the country's defence spending remains dwarfed by India's read more Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Asim Munir holds a microphone during his visit at the Tilla Field Firing Ranges (TFFR) to witness the Exercise Hammer Strike, a high-intensity field training exercise conducted by the Pakistan Army's Mangla Strike Corps, in Mangla, Pakistan May 1, 2025. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) via Reuters Pakistan is increasing its defence budget amid recent tensions with India. The country's Planning Minister, Ahsan Iqbal, said on the weekend that the government will hike its defence budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The move comes even as Pakistan remains debt-ridden and the country faces economic instability and high inflation. As Pakistan increases its defence budget, we take a look at how it compares with India's. Pakistan to raise defence budget Pakistan's Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal confirmed on Saturday (June 7) that the government will increase the defence budget. 'It is our national duty to provide the armed forces with whatever they need in this budget to bolster their capacity and defend our country in the future. It has been proven that we have a dangerous neighbour (India) who attacked us in the night, but we gave them a befitting response,' he was quoted as saying by Pakistan's Dawn. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iqbal said the country must 'remain ready to respond if they attack again'. The likely step comes amid Pakistan's economic woes. The country's economic survey 2024-25 revealed that Islamabad paid $7.8 billion in external debt service payments in the previous financial year. A boy plays with a soccer ball next to a smouldering pile of rubbish, ahead of the World Environment Day, in Karachi, Pakistan, June 4, 2025. Reuters The country is spending more than 1.9 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on debt service payments, according to the survey. Pakistan's total public debt has reached a staggering PKR 76 trillion (around $269 billion), almost double since 2020-21. Of this, Islamabad owes $87.4 billion to other countries and multilateral agencies. Pakistan has to pay China $15 billion – the largest amount among bilateral lenders. This is followed by Japan at $3 billion and France at over $1 billion. The Shehbaz Sharif government's decision to hike the military budget comes amid significant damage to Pakistani airbases and air defence systems in the strikes by India under Operation Sindoor in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan's military budget Pakistan will unveil its annual budget for the coming fiscal year today (June 10), reported to be a PKR 17.6 trillion budget. According to Reuters, analysts predict a rise of about 20 per cent in the country's defence budget. Pakistan had increased its defence budget by 16.4 per cent last year. Pakistan allocated PKR 2.1 trillion for defence in the FY 2024-25, including $2 billion for equipment and other assets. The country's military expenditure stood at $10.2 billion for 2024-25, data by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) revealed. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD To counter India's technologically advanced forces, Islamabad has focused its defence spending on maintaining nuclear capabilities and expanding its missile systems. Pakistan has an edge over India only in mobile rocket systems, 600 over New Delhi's 264, as per an Economic Times (ET) report. India, Pak comparison India has a bigger military than Pakistan and notably higher defence spending. For the 2025-26 fiscal year, India set aside $78.7 billion for defence spending, a 9.5 per cent rise from the previous year. India's military spending for 2024-25 was at $86.1 billion, as per SIPRI data. This makes the country the fifth-largest military spender in the world. The world's most populated country's defence budget has grown in the past decade. In 2013, India's military spending was at $41 billion. This nearly doubled to $80 billion by 2024, as per data from Macrotrends. India is seeking to enhance its defence capabilities by expanding the domestic production of weapon systems to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. It has also enhanced its air power by making key purchases such as Rafale fighter jets. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When it comes to manpower, India has 14.5 lakh active military personnel, as compared to its rival neighbour's 654,000. India boasts 730 combat-ready aircraft, while Pakistan has 452 military aircraft. India's military has 4,201 tanks and roughly 149,000 armoured vehicles, with Pakistan possessing only 2,627 tanks and 17,500 armoured units. India's naval power is also superior to Pakistan's. The Indian Navy operates 293 vessels, including two aircraft carriers, 18 submarines, and 13 destroyers. Pakistan, on the other hand, has 121 vessels but does not have aircraft carriers or destroyers. With inputs from agencies
Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Beloved strongman: Support for Pakistan army chief surges after India conflict
FILE PHOTO: Members of the Pakistani Hindu community hold flags and placards showing the picture of Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Asim Munir, as they chant slogans during a rally in support of the Pakistan Army, in Karachi, Pakistan May 10, 2025. REUTERS/Shakil Adil/File Photo FILE PHOTO: Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Asim Munir holds a microphone during his visit at the Tilla Field Firing Ranges (TFFR) to witness the Exercise Hammer Strike, a high-intensity field training exercise conducted by the Pakistan Army's Mangla Strike Corps, in Mangla, Pakistan May 1, 2025. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo FILE PHOTO: People carry posters showing the pictures of Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Asim Munir, (R) along with Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Service Public Relations wing of Pakistan Armed Forces, as they take part in a rally in support of Pakistan Army, a day after the ceasefire announcement between India and Pakistan, in Lahore, Pakistan, May 11, 2025. REUTERS/Mohsin Raza /File Photo ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's army chief General Asim Munir is the most powerful man in the country, but his popular support has surged after the worst conflict in decades with arch-rival India, shattering criticism of interference in politics and harshly cracking down on opponents. A grateful government has given him a rare promotion to Field Marshal "in recognition of the strategic brilliance and courageous leadership that ensured national security and decisively defeated the enemy". The military has ruled Pakistan for at least three decades since independence in 1947 and wielded extraordinary influence even with a civilian government in office. But it, and its hardline chief, have rarely received the widespread outpouring of affection seen this month that analysts say has reinforced the military's dominance in the nuclear-armed nation. "Long live General Asim Munir!" read placards held aloft in rallies in recent days in towns across Pakistan. His picture was put up on lamp posts and bridges, with some banners saying: "You are our saviour!" A survey conducted after the conflict by Gallup Pakistan, a local pollster, found that 93% of respondents felt their opinion of the military had improved. Munir's most bitter domestic foe, jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, also congratulated the military after this month's clashes with India, claimed by both nations as a victory. "It's my country, it's my army," Khan said in a post on X last week. "I pay tribute to the Pakistan Air Force and all our military personnel for their professionalism and outstanding performance." Yousuf Nazar, a political commentator, said of Munir: ."He has emerged as Pakistan's strongman with his military's reputation restored as a formidable force." Six months after he took charge in November 2022, Munir was faced with the most serious challenge to the military's hegemony when Khan's supporters attacked and ransacked military installations. Munir later faced sharp domestic criticism for the jailing of Khan and cracking down on supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, as well as what critics alleged was rigging the general election last year to favour a rival party. But the conflict with India has turned that around, said Ayesha Siddiqa, author of Military Inc, a book on the Pakistan military. "It has made the general stronger than any other previous generals. He is a hero now," she said, adding that the contest between the neighbours will be headed by two hardliners, India's Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pakistan's Munir, a devout Muslim. "It's an Islamist general versus a religious strongman," she said. The military did not respond to questions sent by Reuters. FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE The spark for the latest fighting between the neighbours was an April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 people, most of them tourists. New Delhi blamed the incident on "terrorists" backed by Pakistan, a charge denied by Islamabad. On May 7, the Indian military carried out air strikes on what it called "terrorist infrastructure" in Pakistan, in response to the attack in Kashmir. Pakistan claimed to have downed at least 5-6 Indian fighter jets and carried out air strikes on Indian military bases. India has indicated that it suffered some losses and inflicted major damage on key Pakistani air bases and air defence systems. Munir, who has memorised the Muslim holy book, the Koran, has publicly underlined what he has said are fundamental differences between Islamic Pakistan and predominantly Hindu India. "Our religion is different. Our customs are different. Our traditions are different," he said in a speech in Islamabad a week before the attack in Indian Kashmir. The Indian army "with all their wherewithal" cannot "intimidate" Pakistan, he said, peppering his comments with verses from the Koran. "Pakistan needs to be a hard state." Pakistan's counter-strike against India was named by him as "Bunyan Marsoos", after a Koranic verse, which means Iron Wall, according to the military. It was launched on May 10 to coincide with dawn prayers, considered an auspicious time for Muslims. Munir, the son of a schoolteacher, is an infantry officer and a former head of both the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence. He remains army chief until November 2027 and could be appointed for another five-year term at that point. Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, said that even before the latest conflict, Munir was more hawkish on India than his predecessor as army chief, who had taken a more pragmatic and less ideological approach, seeking to improve relations. "Conflicts with India remind Pakistanis of the fragility of their country and they rally to their army as the entity that will save the country," said Haqqani. "The recent show of strength and standing up to India has helped General Munir solidify his position within the country." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
News18
03-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan's Persistent Provocations After Urging World To Ask India To Defuse Tensions
Last Updated: Saturday's Abdali missile test appears to be the latest provocation and a reckless attempt by Pakistan to goad India since the Pahalgam terror attack Pakistan on Saturday test-fired the Abdali weapon system, a surface-to-surface missile with a range of 450 km, in an action that marks a dangerous escalation and a provocative step in its ongoing hostility towards India. As tensions between the two countries flared following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday urged 'brotherly countries", including Saudi Arabia, to impress upon India the need to de-escalate and defuse hostilities. The United States and the European Union have also appealed to the nations to exercise restraint. However, in this already volatile environment, the missile test appears to be a deliberate provocation and reckless attempt by Pakistan to goad India. Amid expectations of potential Indian military action following the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan's armed forces are conducting several exercises near the Line of Control and in the Arabian Sea. Pakistan has closed several air traffic routes between Lahore and Islamabad and issued multiple navy area warnings along its coastline. The Pakistani air force is holding three distinct exercises, the army is conducting Exercise Hammer Strike near the LoC, and the navy is engaged in a series of drills in the Arabian Sea. The air force exercises conducted over the last few days include Zarb-e-haidari, Fiza e Badr, and Lalkar e Momin. These involved fighter jets like the F-16, J-10, and JF-17. Army chief Asim Munir visited the Tilla Field Firing Ranges near Jhelum to witness exercises by the Mangla Strike Corps. These exercises are taking place against a backdrop of heavy mobilisation of military equipment, including artillery, tanks, and other assets. Pakistan's recently acquired SH-15 155mm, 52-calibre self-propelled howitzer from China has also reportedly been deployed. First Published: May 03, 2025, 16:49 IST
The Hindu
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pakistan military holds several military drills in anticipation of Indian response
Amid expectations of potential Indian military action following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan's armed forces are conducting several exercises near the Line of Control (LoC) and in the Arabian Sea. Concurrently, Pakistan has closed several air traffic routes between Lahore and Islamabad and issued multiple 'Nav Area' warnings along its coastline, as some officials reportedly caution about an 'imminent' attack by India. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is holding three distinct exercises, the Pakistan Army is conducting 'Exercise Hammer Strike' near the LoC, and the Pakistan Navy is engaged in a series of drills in the Arabian Sea, proximate to where the Indian Navy is also carrying out firing exercises. 'The exercise is messaging to India that they are sitting close and ready to move in should India do something,' an official monitoring the situation observed. The area warnings and air traffic closures are interpreted as measures to keep airspace clear for early warning against potential Indian aerial action, the official added. The PAF exercises conducted over the last few days include 'Zarb-e-Haideri' by its Southern Air Command, 'Fiza-e-Badar' in its Northern Air Command, and 'Lalkar-e-Momin' under its Central Air Command. These involve frontline fighter jets like the F-16, J-10, and JF-17. Pakistan has also released videos showcasing JF-17 jets equipped with the PL-15 Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile acquired from China. Furthermore, the Pakistan Army's 1 Strike Corps, a key offensive formation, is conducting Exercise Hammer Strike in the Gujranwala area opposite Punjab. Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated on Thursday (May 1, 2025) that Army Chief Gen Asim Munir visited the Tilla Field Firing Ranges near Jhelum to witness high-intensity field training by the Mangla Strike Corps. These exercises are taking place against a backdrop of heavy mobilisation of military equipment, including artillery, tanks, and other assets. Pakistan's recently acquired SH-15 155mm, 52-calibre self-propelled howitzer from China has also reportedly been deployed. Along the LoC, ceasefire violations continued on Thrusday night. The Indian Army reported that Pakistani posts resorted to unprovoked small arms firing across the LoC opposite the Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Naushera, and Akhnoor areas. 'Indian Army troops responded in a calibrated and proportionate manner,' the statement added. In the aerial domain, Pakistan has issued area warnings or NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) almost daily since the Pahalgam attack. Both India and Pakistan had issued warnings for exercises in the Arabian Sea, with notified zones just 85 nautical miles apart, as previously reported by The Hindu. India notified naval firing exercises at four locations off the Gujarat coast from April 30 to May 3, while Pakistan notified naval drills from April 30 to May 2, along with additional notifications for missile and gun firing exercises in the Northern Arabian Sea.
Arab News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan army chief vows ‘swift, resolute' response to any military action by India
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir on Thursday vowed that any military misadventure by India would be met with a 'swift, resolute' response amid surging tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. These remarks came from Munir while he visited the Tilla Field Firing Ranges (TFFR) near the eastern city of Jhelum to witness 'Exercise Hammer Strike,' a high-intensity field training exercise conducted by Pakistan Army's Mangla Strike Corps. The army continued to hold war exercises on Thursday in a bid to demonstrate its military might to its neighbor. Pakistan has vowed to give a befitting and 'strong' response to any military action by India as tensions surged after New Delhi blamed Islamabad for being involved in an attack on Indian-administered Kashmir on Apr. 22. Islamabad has denied involvement in the attack, which killed 26 people and prompted both countries to take several hostile measures against each other. These included India suspending a decades-old water-sharing treaty, suspending visas for Pakistani nationals and declaring its military advisers 'persona non grata.' Pakistan responded with tit-for-tat measures. 'Let there be no ambiguity: any military misadventure by India will be met with a swift, resolute, and notch-up response,' Munir was quoted as saying by Pakistan military's media wing. 'While Pakistan remains committed to regional peace, our preparedness and resolve to safeguard national interests is absolute.' Munir lauded the high morale, combat proficiency and warfighting spirit of Pakistan's officers and troops at the firing ranges, terming them the 'embodiment of Pakistan Army's operational excellence.' The military said that the exercise was designed to validate combat readiness, battlefield synergy and operational integration of cutting-edge weapon systems under near-battlefield conditions. 'A diverse array of advanced capabilities, including multirole fighter aircraft, combat aviation assets, long-range precision artillery and next-generation field engineering techniques were employed to simulate conventional battlefield scenarios,' it said. RUBIO CALLS FOR DE-ESCALATION Separately, US Secretary of State spoke to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday to discuss the regional situation. As per the US State Department, Rubio urged Islamabad to cooperate in the attack's investigation and de-escalate the situation. 'The Secretary urged Pakistani officials' cooperation in investigating this unconscionable attack,' the State Department said. 'He also encouraged Pakistan to work with India to de-escalate tensions, re-establish direct communications, and maintain peace and security in South Asia.' According to Sharif's office, the Pakistani premier asked Washington to impress upon India to 'act responsibly' and 'dial down the rhetoric.' 'He [Sharif] categorically rejected Indian attempts to link Pakistan to the incident and pointed to his call for a transparent, credible, and neutral investigation to bring out the facts,' the PMO said. Rubio also spoke to India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Wednesday, expressing sorrow for the loss of lives in the Apr. 22 attack. He also encouraged India to work with Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace and security in South Asia, the State Department said.
