ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb announced a 17.5 percent increase in the country’s defense budget on Wednesday, saying the government had decided to allocate Rs2.12 trillion ($6.15 billion) for the country’s security needs in view of its geopolitical situation.
Pakistan’s defense budget consistently attracts media attention due to the military’s substantial role in both the political and economic arenas of the country.
The allocation of significant funds to defense sparks debates over the balance between security needs and other critical public services, such as education and health care.
Media coverage and public discussions also reflect concerns about transparency, with governments only mentioning the overall figure without sharing further details.
“Rs2.122 trillion will be provided for defense needs,” the finance minister said during his address to the National Assembly. “And Rs849 billion are being allocated for civil administration expenses.”
Last year, the defense allocation stood at Rs1.80 trillion ($5.23 billion).
According to Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, the allocated amount “presents an incomplete picture of the country’s actual military expenditure.”
“A significant sum of Rs662 billion [$1.92 billion], designated for retired military personnel, which equals to about 31pc of allocation for the armed forces, will not be drawn from the defense budget, rather government’s current expenditure,” it reported.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent years, prompting its armed forces to carry out targeted operations in areas adjoining its border with Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s army and other law enforcement agencies are also responsible for the providing security to Chinese nationals working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is widely viewed as pivotal to the country’s economic security.
Militant groups have periodically targeted these Chinese workers, killing five of them earlier this year in a suicide bombing in Pakistan’s northwest while they were going to the site of a hydropower project.
Pakistan raises defense budget by 17.5% to $6.15 billion amid surge in militancy
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Pakistan raises defense budget by 17.5% to $6.15 billion amid surge in militancy
- Defense spending in Pakistan draws media focus as debates over security needs and public services persist
- Media coverage also reflects concerns about transparency, with few details available on the overall spending
Pakistan U19 pull off last-wicket win against Afghanistan in Zimbabwe tri-series
- Pakistan chased 227 with three balls to spare after a shaky start marked by regular fall of wickets
- Hamza Zahoor’s unbeaten 68 and Usman Khan’s four-wicket haul sealed Pakistan’s thrilling victory
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Under-19 clinched a tense one-wicket victory over Afghanistan in a tri-series match on Saturday, chasing down a target of 227 with three balls to spare at Harare Sports Club in Zimbabwe.
The win was anchored by an unbeaten half-century from Hamza Zahoor, whose 68 not out off 51 balls guided Pakistan home after a dramatic collapse left them nine wickets down and still 26 runs short.
Afghanistan were bowled out for 226 in their 50 overs after being sent in to bat, with Osman Sadat top-scoring with a patient 75 from 106 deliveries, while Mahboob Khan added 49. Pakistan seamer Usman Khan led the bowling effort with four wickets for 37 runs.
"Pakistan U19 seal a thrilling contest in Harare by 1 wicket," the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced in a social media post.
"Captain Farhan Yousaf scored a composed 65, before Hamza Zahoor's brilliant unbeaten 68 guided Pakistan home," it added.
Pakistan’s chase faltered early as wickets fell at regular intervals, before captain Yousaf steadied the innings with a knock that included six fours and two sixes, keeping the pursuit on track.
With Pakistan slipping to 201 for nine, Zahoor held his nerve in the closing stages, finding brief support from lower-order batters before adding an unbroken 29-run stand for the final wicket with Niqab Shafiq, who finished unbeaten on one.
Zahoor struck eight fours and a six during his innings, counter-attacking confidently as Afghanistan pressed for the final wicket.
Despite Zahoor’s match-winning innings, Usman Khan was named Player of the Match for his four-wicket haul earlier in the day.
Pakistan entered the tournament as U19 Asia Cup champions after beating India by 191 runs in Dubai earlier this month.
The PCB has said the players are using the tri-series as a key preparation for next month’s ICC Men’s U19 World Cup co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Pakistan will next face hosts Zimbabwe on Monday at Prince Edward School in Harare.
