Islamabad: Finance Ministry of Pakistan has refused to raise country’s defence budget up to Rs. 80 to 100 billion on basis of surging inflation and declining value of rupee against US dollars.
“Finance ministry has also suggested to make pension of ex-servicemen a formal part of annual budget; but Pakistan Army has opposed the suggestion,” sources in Defence Ministry said.
“Join Staff Headquarters had summoned suggestions from armed forces regarding budget which was later discussed at Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.”
“The chief committee recommended to Defence Ministry increasing defence budget up to Rs. 80 to 100 billion making total defence budget over Rs. 590 billion.”
The sources noted that present defence budget of Pakistan was about Rs. 495 billion but continuous surge in value of dollar had made it mandatory to increase the budget.
“However, finance ministry officials opposing the suggested amount recommended to increase defence budget up to Rs. 45 to 50 billion,” they added.
“Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh is also trying to make amount of pension to ex-servicemen which is about Rs. 70 to 75 billion a formal part of the budget.”
“Armed forces are not agree on the recommendation saying that procedure should remain the same as it could raise problems.”
Final decision regarding defence budget and pensions of ex-servicemen would be taken at high level meeting under chair of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani.
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