80% Defense Budget for Pakistan Army of Total, In Pakistan, the rhetoric and over-exaggeration of the defense budget is often accepted.

In Pakistan, the rhetoric and over-exaggeration of the defense budget is often accepted. It is generally said that 80% of the total GDP of Pakistan's economy comes from defense related matters, especially the Pakistan Army. This lie and deliberate misinformation has been ignored for far too long in the past. Now is the time to destroy these illusions and present the facts to the people because truth always prevails over lies. But first we have to discuss the geopolitics of Pakistan and keep in mind that Pakistan is not an ordinary country. It is a country that has experienced many phases in its short life of 75 years. Political crisis, economic crisis, powerful enemies and internal enemies who always want instability and chaos in the country. There is no doubt that Pakistan is indeed a security centric state with its geopolitical location. Pakistan's security challenges are more than the resources it has, but due to immense sacrifices, tireless service and partnership of the Pakistan Armed Forces, Pakistan has survived the difficult days of the past and defeated the enemies.

Facts and Figures:

History indicates that Pakistan's defense budget as a percentage of GDP has gone down rather than up. In the 1970s, the defense budget was 6.50 percent and in 2021, it has come down to 2.45 percent. According to the National Budget 2021/20, Rs.1,370 billion was allocated out of the total budgetary resources of Rs.8,487billion under the heading ‘Defence Services’. According to these official figures, defense budgetary resources constitute only 16 percent of the country's total GDP and not 80 percent.

Out of the 16 percent allocation for defense services, the Pakistan Army receives Rs 594 billion, which is only 7 percent of the total budgetary resources. These figures identify and debunk this false narrative. According to the recent report, Pakistan is ranked 23rd in the index of 40 countries that spend the most on defense, but compared to the 2020 index, Pakistan is one rank below it, which shows that the armed forces of Pakistan are contributing to the economic development of the country. are compromising their defense budget allocations to facilitate the government in the measures.

Other reports by SIPRI and the International Institute of Strategic Studies show Pakistan's defense spending to be lower than many countries, including Pakistan's arch-enemy, India. India's defense budget is 9times more than Pakistan's. According to another report, India's military expenditure is $76.6 billion, making it the third highest defense spender in the world. India's defense spending and military spending should always be compared in the context of Pakistan.

The imbalance of power, resources, defense budget, military equipment and military technology is something that Pakistan's policy makers and military leadership have always been wary of. Despite such a small defense budget, Pakistan has stopped India at every step. Although Pakistan has the seventh largest military in the world, its expenditure is the lowest compared to Iran, India, Saudi Arabia and the United States. With such economic and security challenges, Pakistan proudly stands as the 9th most powerful military in the world. It shows the capability and expertise of Pakistan Armed Forces.

Services of Pakistan Army:

Now that the myth of 80 percent has been debunked, let us discuss the role of the Pakistan Army in overcoming the many challenges Pakistan is facing and facilitating the government and people of Pakistan in various spheres of life. Like most of the world's forces, Pakistan's army also plays an important role in nation building. Pakistan Army stepped up and performed its national duties when needed. In 2019, the Pakistani military gave up Rs 100billion of its defense allocation to support the country's economy. In the financial year 2020/21, the Pakistan Army contributed Rs 28billion as direct tax to the government.

Pakistan Army has also provided great support during natural calamities like earthquakes, droughts and epidemics. During the anti-polio campaign in 2014, the Pakistan Army deployed 16,000 military personnel to facilitate government departments. On the direction of COAS, testing labs were set up in various military hospitals. The Pakistan Armed Forces also assisted the police and LEAs in implementing the COVID SOPs during the peak of the pandemic. During the locust crisis, the Pakistan Army actively supported the civilian authorities by establishing the National Locust Control Center (NLCC). In addition, about 10,000soldiers were deployed in the field to carry out surveying and spraying operations using tractor and car-mounted machines. During the 2017 floods in Karachi, the Army assisted in rescue and relief operations by providing 188 troops, 21 dewatering pumps and 30 military boats. Again, during the floods in Lahore, 200soldiers were used in relief operations with 26 d watering pumps and 19 boats. In the recent 2020 floods in interior Sindh, Punjab and KPK, 40,000 soldiers with the help of 100dewatering pumps and 105military boats were used by the government to rescue 10,000 civilians, further facilitating during the process, 50shelters and 75medical camps were established. During the forest fire in Shirani area of ​​Balochistan, two military helicopters along with the local government officials helped in extinguishing the fire. Army helicopters dropped water and fire-fighting chemicals on the affected areas to control the fire.Pakistan Army delivered all the necessary relief materials from Lahore to Zhob. The Pakistan Army Medal Corps has shown remarkable mettle even during disease outbreaks and droughts in remote areas of the country. The Pakistan Army provided clean drinking water (about 350,000 liters) to 54 villages in the Pir Koh area on a daily basis. In addition, shift hospitals and medical camps were established in the area to test and treat local people suffering from diseases like cholera, diarrhea and malaria. And finally, 21Heat Stroke Relief Centers were established in remote desert areas of Interior Sindh and 37Heat Stroke Relief Centers in Punjab province on the orders of COAS to deal with heat stroke.

Pakistan's services are much more than its resources and economy. But discipline, organizational ability, capacity, expertise, transparency and dedication are some of the strengths of the Pakistan Armed Forces that make it possible to overcome impossible challenges. It should be noted that 80% of the propaganda has been fully exposed. It is part of 5th generation warfare. But as said earlier, truth will always prevail over lies and deception. In the words of David Foster Wallace, ‘The truth shall set you free.’