Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The government on Friday proposed to hike the defence spending by nearly 7% to Rs 920 billion in the fiscal year 2017-18 from Rs 860 billion of the last year’s.

“We have increased the defence budget to Rs 920 billion from Rs 860 billion,” Finance Minister Ishaq Dar told the National Assembly as he presented the federal budget for next fiscal year.

The minister also announced a 10% special allowance for the armed forces for their contribution in defeating militants throughout operation Zarb-e-Azb launched some three years ago.

The country’s defence budget is not open to debate by parliament, nor does it generally include pensions paid to the military personnel. The cost of their pensions comes out of the current budget.

Last year, the federal government had announced an allocation of Rs 860 billion for defence expenses, showing 11% increase comparing to 2015. In 2015-16, the defence expenditure was raised up to 11.3% at Rs 780 billion.

Under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) 2017-18, Rs 535 million have been allocated for two ongoing and four new development schemes in the defence sector.

According to the budget document, Rs 248.69 million and Rs 95.50 million have been earmarked for the ongoing projects of procurement and construction of six Maritime Patrol Vessels (MPVs) for Pakistan Maritime Security Agency and water distribution network for Rawalpindi Cantonment Board and Chaklala Cantonment Board based on Khanpur Dam water source under the ongoing program.

For the new schemes including construction of office complex including boundary wall for Survey of Pakistan Lahore, Rs 25 million and for establishment of new generation geodetic datum of Pakistan Rs 35.80 million have been earmarked.

Besides, allocation of Rs 35 million and Rs. 100 million for the respective establishment of Federal Government Degree College at Kohat and procurement of three latest printing machines fort modrenization of Survey of Pakistan have been allocated.