Rs2.12 trillion proposed for armed forces

The government on Wednesday proposed an allocation of Rs2.12 trillion for the armed forces in the upcoming fiscal year (FY 2024-25), marking a substantial increase of 17.6pc compared to last year’s budget reflecting the country’s priorities in a region marked by geopolitical tensions. The allocation for the armed forces in the next fiscal year is set at 1.7pc of GDP, maintaining the same proportion of the national pie as last year. Meanwhile, the proposed expenditure constitutes 12.33pc of the projected current expenses. This significant boost in defence spending is the second-largest in six years, just shy of the 18pc hike granted by the PML-N government in the final year of its 2013-18 tenure. This also marks the second consecutive year of elevated funding for the armed forces, following last year’s 15pc increase, signalling a shift away from the traditional 11pc annual raise — a trend witnessed over the past decade.