Director General of Interagency Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar on On Tuesday, he said that the defense budget distribution for fiscal year 2022–2023, contrary to opinion, declined after accounting for factors such as inflation and the depreciation of the rupee. for is now 2.2 percent. of GDP from 2.8% last year.
in budget represented by Finance Minister Miftah Ismail on On Friday, 1 billion 523 billion rupees was allocated for defense services, which is up 17.5 pcs. of in total current expenses and is 11.16% higher how last year. AT terms of expenses, protection budget 16 pcs. of the government is planning total consumption – exactly the same as it was year before.
Claimed increase in protection budget was in sharp contrast with incisions in expenses on in development sector (11%), healthcare (31%), education (1.5%), housing (77%).
Distribution makes up almost 1.94 pcs. of GDP and 16% of in total expenses planned government for in next year. Hike almost at par with calculated average inflation for in year the ending on 30 June.
However, in Interview with host Kamran Shahid on Dunya News show At the front, D. G. Iftikhar defended budget allocations for defense and denied that he saw an increase.
He said there were “annual debates”. on distribution of the army after the budget, adding that money designed for Defense Service was founded on “threat perception, challenges, deployment and resources available”.
“So [after] considering all this, the army had no [net] increase in in budget from 2020,” DG ISPR said. — If you look at inflation and the depreciation of the rupee, budget) was actually reduced. it was 2.8pc of GDP last year and now we’re at 2.2%, so budget constantly goes down in GDP terms.”
He said that after factoring in it’s yearinflation, defense budget actually took hit of 100 billion rupees. “Despite these challenges, we did not allow any disadvantage in our opportunities”, Iftikhar added.
Development on measures taken by the army to cut its costs, he said instructions had been given to save fuel and reduce expenditure on utilities, and Friday will be considered a “dry day” when there will be no official transport will be used except for emergencies.
Mr. Iftikhar further stated that the army had returned to government Rs 6 billion from Covid allocations and Rs 3.5 billion from other allocations in last years budget.
‘Not one has the right to target the institution on the foundation of lies’
To the question about former prime minister Imran Khan’s longtime claim of there is a US backed conspiracy behind his dismissal, the CEO of ISPR said he “already clarified” the issue as he continued to dismiss the claim again.
Taking into account first Meeting of the National Security Committee on diplomatic cable in the center of statement about the conspiracy that was carried out during Imran’s tenure, DG ISPR stated that it was attended by the highest military leadership and participants were clear and in details informed by the agencies that there is no kind of conspiracy or any evidence of It”.
Asked to explain how he determined the action of intervention and action of conspiracy, Iftikhar said they were diplomatic terms and diplomats could better explain them.
The CEO of ISPR was also asked about “propaganda and criticism” against army after it “distanced itself” from the political affairs. He acknowledged that the army and its leadership were targeted because of “groundless rumors and propaganda, which is very unfortunate and should not be happening.”
He said that everyone is entitled to their opinion, but not one had the right to “reject the facts and target the institution and its personalities”. on the foundation of lies”.
Musharraf’s return to Pakistan
The ISPR CEO confirmed that former Army Commander General (retired) Pervez Musharraf family was in contact with in military regarding his intended return to Pakistan in light of his poor health. He said Musharraf’s return to Pakistan from the UAE was decision for his family and doctors to do.
“The institution and its leadership are of the position that it should come back,” he said.
DG ISPR also talking about the boss of During a recent visit by Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa to China, he called it “very important.” He said the trip would have “far-reaching implications” that soon I’ll see you.
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