Finance Minister Ishaq Dar (L) and Army Chief Gen Raheel Shareef (R) discussed the budgetary allocations for the army for 2014-15. PHOTO: FILE
On Saturday, Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff Gen. Raheel Sharif met in Islamabad. According to a press release of the meeting, the two discussed budgetary requirements of the army for the year 2014-15.
Dar acknowledged the need to ensure fulfillment of requirements of defence in the light of current security situation.
He assured the Army Chief that defence is of paramount importance to the country and hence necessary resources will be allocated.
The meeting comes at a time when the military is gearing up for a possible offensive in the tribal areas.
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Army already taking a major chunk from budget and people are dying with hunger and committing suicide. They want to boggle all Pakistan but still not happy. See how much they are earning through their projects like NICL, Askari projects, Colleges, Universities, Cement factories but still looking toward budget. Shame on these fake heroes.
100 billion fund for Maryam Nawaz, y?
Pakistan needs to double its army size to meet all threats. The budget should be increased by a factor of three to increase fighting capabilities. The most modern fighter jets, missiles and submarines should be bought. Most importantly, Pakistan needs to acquire from China a dozen nuclear submarines to protect its shores and counter India.
If terrorists are more capable than the army then increase in defense budget not going to help. Despite having enough fire power terrorists entering court complex killing judges and lawyers. If you dont have a will anf change in your terror policy you cant defeat these terrorist even with a 1000 billion dollar budget because there are more terrorists in the army and isi than terror in waziristan.
@SAIRA: ho kaki where u living. u must be a indian agent. there is no batman system in pakistan army now even max armies of world have this. and a army jawan facing bullet is getting less than a naib qasad of judiciary. plz update urself before any comment on army
There are many misconceptions regarding military's perks. 1. Batman. Originally a soldier working as a servant, when there were lots of soldiers with little to do. Now abolished. Officers get a small allowance to hire servants. 2. DHA. DHA is a cooperative housing society like so many others. The members pay for the plots including all expenses but the society doesn't charge profit from the members. No govt money is involved. 3. Apart from the plots whose cost is borne by the officers, their are no other perks except medical care. Its there but it isn't that good. The downside of military service is low pay, early retirement and tough job with frequent moves and half the service spent away from family.
Of course all the drumbeats for war and operation in tribal areas has a cost. People who chant in the favor should know the consequences.
@s Yes, the servant system was abolished by giving officers allowance instead of servants to hire servants on their own. Same thing, different name. And which they misuse and pay servants way less than they were getting paid when they were hired as army personnel.
If I am not mistaken, the batman system abolished by Musharraf was actually restored by Yousuf Raza Gillani. Can someone confirm that?
Pakistan - to achieve parity with India in Defence Capability - must increase its Defence Budget Annual Spending to US$ 40 Billion Annually. . Otherwise Pakistan will be left far behind. . Cheers
@Raza Rashid: how about civilians do their job first.
This is not something new........the weakness of our politicians is legend.
Army will be left demotivated if all its needs are not met. Nation must make sacrifices.
Can't the army sell some it's land and companies that they own? I mean seriously do they need to produce corn flacks and fertiliser, to defend the nation? We talk about Government not doing business same should apply to the army.
Money spent on pesticides and pest controllers is money well spent unless we want to do the extermination in an organic way ourselves. I mean do the readers volunteer to do beheadings and throat slittings with recycled materials?
Why increase the defense spending? When we are outsourcing law and order to the terrorists and Don't have any appetite to take the enemies of the states head on, the defense spending should be reduced not increased. Seems like these generals have become addicted to luxurious lifestyle and can't do the belt tightening. Eventually the country will crumble under its own defense bill.
@saira... for ur information, the batmen are no more there for over a decade now!!!
Defence budget should be a fixed percentage of national income.