Pakistan’s defense budget has long been a subject of significant scrutiny and speculation. Amid widespread misconceptions and debates, it is crucial to separate fact from fiction regarding the allocation and impact of defense spending. Contrary to the popular belief that 70-80% of the national budget is consumed by military expenditure, the reality is far different.

As we delve into the details, it becomes clear that Pakistan’s defense spending is both modest and strategically managed. For the fiscal year 2023-24, the defense budget was initially set at 12.47% of the total Rs 14.46 trillion budget. For the fiscal year 2024-25, the defense budget constitutes 11.23% of the total budget. With the overall budget set at Rs 18.877 trillion, the allocation for defense stands at Rs 2,122 billion, with a share of 87.77% earmarked for non-military expenditures.

To put this in perspective, India’s defense budget for the same period is an overwhelming $75 billion, which is almost 10 times higher than Pakistan’s defense budget of $7.59 billion.

Due to the perception of an ever-increasing defense budget, data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) shows a steady decline in Pakistan’s defense spending since the 1990s. For fiscal year 2024-25, defense allocation is just 1.7% of GDP, reflecting a disciplined approach to military expenditure. This is set against a backdrop of global military spending reaching $2,443 billion in........

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