Pakistan”s Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif have agreed to increase the country”s defence budget from 15 to 20 percent for the coming fiscal year.
According to Dawn News, Dar said defence was among the government”s topmost priorities, adding that all necessary resources would be provided to the forces to strengthen security. Dar”s statements came as he met with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during which the two discussed the defence budget for the coming fiscal year. According to the report, with a 15 to 20 percent increase, the amount for the country”s defence budget is likely to exceed Rs 700 billion, which is a significant boost to the existing Rs 627 billion for the current fiscal year. (ANI)