Pakistan’s Defence Budget: Balancing Security Needs and Economic Challenges

Pakistan’s geopolitical landscape necessitates a minimum deterrent. Situated in a hostile region, our defence needs are critical. While we are rightfully critical of the establishment’s overarching role in the country’s affairs, we must objectively assess our defence requirements and the corresponding budget allocations.

For several years, the armed forces have operated on a shoestring budget. Despite this financial constraint, it is remarkable that we can match our adversaries pound for pound. The relentless propaganda by naysayers regarding the defence budget will persist until tangible threats, such as enemy tanks at our borders, materialize.