Islamabad: In an unprecedented voluntary move, Pakistan’s military has decided to cut the defence budget for the next fiscal year amid an austerity drive launched by the government to solve the cash-strapped nation’s economic woes.
Major General Asif Ghafoor, Director General (DG) Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) — the media wing of the military, in his Twitter message on Tuesday said that voluntary cuts in the defence budget for next fiscal year would not be at the cost of defence and security. “Voluntary cut in defence budget for a year will not be at the cost of defence & security. We shall maintain effective response potential to all threats.
Three services will manage impact of the cut through appropriate internal measures. It was important to participate in development of tribal areas & Balochistan,” Ghafoor said. However, Ghafoor did not mention how much budget cut would be undertaken.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said Tuesday that he was very appreciative of the Pakistan military’s “unprecedented voluntary initiative of stringent cuts in their defence expenditures” especially in light of the country’s financial situation.
Khan said he was grateful for the move that came “despite multiple security challenges” that Pakistan faces.
Khan said that the funds saved will be used for the development of the newly-merged tribal areas as well as in Balochistan. Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry said this was “not a small step at all”.
“Only a strong civilian-military coordination can rescue Pakistan from the deep problems of Governance and economy,” Chaudhry said.
Prime Minister Khan, after assuming office last year, launched several austerity measures. He moved into a modest three-bed room house of his military secretary along with two servants. (PTI)
