RAWALPINDI – Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa hassaid that the military’s decision to forgo an annual increase in defencebudget is “not a favour to the nation.”
“Irrespective of the voluntary cut in defence budget in upcoming financialyear, there shall be no impact on our response potential to all types ofthreat and the quality of life of the soldiers,” ISPR quoted him as sayingwhile addressing the troops at Line of Control after offering Eidul Fitrprayers.
The Army Chief exchanged Eid greetings with the soldiers and laterinteracted with them. Special prayers were offered for peace, progress andprosperity of the country on the occasion. The Army Chief said the best Eidfor a soldier is to take pride in defending the motherland even on suchfestive days away from his family. “Remember, for us, the defenders ofPakistan, our first family is the Pakistani nation, then the ones backhome,” he said while addressing the servicemen.
Talking about the military’s decision to forgo a routine increase inmilitary budget, he said “This initiative is not a favour to the nation aswe are one, through thick and thin.”
Gen Bajwa said “The no-pay-raise decision is also only for the officers andnot for the soldiers. We shall manage the shortfall during the fiscal yearby tightening our belt in areas where it doesn’t affect the two aforesaidaspect.”
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Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan had welcomed the military’s voluntarycuts, especially in light of the country’s financial situation. Hiscash-strapped government has negotiated a $6 billion bailout package fromthe International Monetary Fund to overcome the financial woes facing thecountry.
Khan said he was grateful for the move that came “despite multiple securitychallenges” that Pakistan faces. He added that the funds saved will be usedfor the development of the newly-merged tribal areas as well as inBalochistan.
