Think Tank wants provinces to share burden of defence expenditures as well

The Economic Policy and Business Development think tank has proposed an increase in salaries and pensions of the armed forces in recommendations submitted ahead of the upcoming federal budget.

According to the proposals, the think tank Economic Policy and Business Development has recommended that salaries of the armed forces be enhanced and pensions reviewed in line with the recommendations of the Pay and Pension Commission.

The recommendations also suggest increasing funding for development projects related to the armed forces and ensuring adequate allocation for operational preparedness, including resources for potential wartime contingencies.

The think tank further proposed that the National Finance Commission consider a mechanism for sharing defence expenditures with provincial governments in the upcoming budget cycle.

It also emphasized that sufficient funds should be allocated to address security-related requirements and emerging strategic challenges.

According to the estimates cited in the recommendations, defence expenditure is projected to reach Rs 2,750 billion in the current fiscal year, while the upcoming budget could see the figure rise to approximately Rs 2,959 billion.

The proposals have emerged as part of broader policy inputs being reviewed ahead of budget formulation, highlighting fiscal pressures and evolving expenditure needs in the defence sector.