By Ayesha Zaryab
On June 3rd, 2014 Nawaz’s government has announced the Budget for the year 2014-2015 which starts off from July 1st. The budget shows an increase of 11 percent in the Defence budget that allocates Rs 700 billion to the sector. Of these, Rs 331 billion have been allocated to Pakistan Army with a share of 47 percent. Nevertheless, Pakistan Air Force has been allotted to Rs 149 billion with a share of 21 percent and Navy receives 10 percent with Rs 71 billion in the defence budget for new fiscal year, 2014-15.
Referring to the budget announced for the relevant institutions, Rs 6.1 billion have been addressed to Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) will receive a budget of Rs 700 million. For Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) Rs 230 million will be allocated in the Budget 2014-2015.
Pakistan’s security dilemma runs along a systematic challenge where it has to balance between its socio-economic development and security. But the internal challenges to security, terrorism, international lobbying, altogether contributes to a chaotic situation where Pakistan strives to maintain a reasonable balance between both these continuum.
Regardless of the increase announced Defence budget 2014-15, a lot of questions remain unanswered. For a country like Pakistan, surviving in amid crisis, the said increase might not be able to meet the need of time. In view of Pakistan’s assurance to undertake the safety parameters of nuclear power plants, as per IAEA, the proposed budget might bring doubts to the credibility. Moreover, the current 11 percent increase could indicate an episode of allegations against Pakistan. However, such allegations merely correspond to a sector of Utopia where Pakistan and India are not forgotten to be evident rivals that continue to fight for lasting peace since the partition. Even bitter, South Asia has rather become a checker board where the power holds in defeating the opponent. Therefore, any compromise on military budget will never be welcomed by the responsible forces of the country. Nevertheless, the government has tried to balance both sides of the picture where an increase of 6 percent for educational budget is one of the positives this Budget holds.
Therefore, the current budget can not be studied independent of its loopholes and the difference of opinions between the sectors of society over the announced military spending. However, the increase in education, an alleged boost in GDP, and an increase of 11 percent in Defence budget, the announced budget could rightly be called as another step up on the ladder.
