The defence budget of any nation is subjected to its security needs, challenges and strategic vision. There is no doubt that the priority should be given to the socio-economic development but it is undeniable fact that socio-economic prosperity largely depends upon the state’s capacity to ensure the traditional as well as non-traditional security threats. Pakistan is currently facing multiple security challenges that include the traditional as well as non-traditional security threats. On the Eastern front, India is an existential threat for Pakistan but the recent developments in its neighboring state have further aggravated the security environment for Pakistan. India is actively looking for a space to engage Pakistan in a low intensity conflict for the reason what it believes can refrain the alleged support of Pakistan to the militants in carrying out acts of terrorism inside the Indian territory. For this purpose India has been planning Cold Start Doctrine (CSD) which poses serious threats to Pakistan’s security. India is also developing Ballistic Missile Defence program that could potentially undermine the deterrence capability of Pakistan. But most importantly it is the political development in India on which Pakistan needs to pay close attention. The newly elected government in India belongs to BJP; the party is known for anti Pakistan rhetoric. But the situation is even more critical by the fact that the new PM Narendra Modi is notorious for Muslims killing in Gujarat and has used anti-Pakistan slogans in his election campaign. On the Western front, NATO forces are leaving a messy Afghanistan at the end of this year. The fallouts of NATO withdrawal would further increase challenges for Pakistan. The fight against terrorism in coming days might also require military operation in South Waziristan. The US aid to military would also shrink after is withdrawal from Afganistan.
The purpose of highlighting the challenges to Pakistan’s security was to analyze that whether the allocation of defence budget for the year 2014-15 is proportionate to the needs of security forces. In the new budget the government has increased the defence budget from 627.2 to 700.2 billion rupees. The total increased amount is 73 billion rupees for defence budget. According to the media reports, the ministry of defence had sought 173 billion increase in defence budget due to the changing regional and global security environment. So the important question is that whether the increase in defence budget is justified given the dire situation of Pakistan’s economy in first place. Secondly, if the increased amount is justified, then is it enough given the nature of security challenges and by keeping in mind the demand the MOD had made. There is no doubt that Pakistan’s economy is in dire conditions but we need to remember that the weak security situation is one of the major factor for that. It was just yesterday reported that Pakistan has last 700 billion rupees due to bad internal security environment. So we will have to admit that the increase is justified and is the need of the hour. The next important issue is that will the increased amount is going to be enough. I believe that we are not in a position to exactly predict this but given the limitation of Pakistan’s economy it is suggested that our Military forces need to adjust its needs in the allocated budget.
