By Laiba khan
Amid escalating regional tensions and a fragile security environment, Pakistan’s decision to raise its defence budget by 20% in the 2025–26 fiscal year is both timely and necessary. With an allocation of PKR 2.55 trillion, this strategic move comes in direct response to recent hostile engagements with India, including drone incursions, cross-border artillery exchanges, and heightened military presence along the Line of Control—the most serious confrontations since the 2019 Pulwama-Balakot standoff.
While certain quarters argue that such an increase in defence outlay during a time of economic pressure could strain public finances, this viewpoint overlooks the foundational truth that security underpins development. No economy can grow, no investment can be sustained, and no society can flourish without peace and stability.
In Pakistan’s case, the threats are not abstract—they are real, immediate, and multifaceted. India’s recent maneuvers, both conventional and hybrid, including cyber interference and drone surveillance, demand a robust response rooted in strategic foresight. A credible defence budget is the first line of defence against both kinetic and non-kinetic forms of aggression.
In the face of India’s ballooning defence expenditure—currently estimated at around $78 billion—Pakistan’s own military spending, even after the increase, hovers around $9 billion, or roughly one-ninth of India’s. This stark disparity should concern any policymaker who believes in preserving strategic parity in South Asia. The rise in Pakistan’s defence allocation, therefore, should not be viewed as a competitive escalation but as a necessity for minimum credible deterrence, a principle that has underpinned the region’s delicate balance of power for decades.
Moreover, the modern battlefield has evolved far beyond conventional infantry warfare. Fifth-generation threats such as cyberattacks, electronic warfare, information manipulation, and unmanned aerial vehicle incursions are now at the forefront of modern military strategy. Pakistan cannot afford to lag behind. To counter such threats, investment in advanced surveillance technologies, electronic countermeasures, drone defence systems, and indigenous R&D is critical. The recent budget increase creates the financial space to accelerate these developments, enabling Pakistan to protect its critical infrastructure, communication networks, and military installations from emerging vulnerabilities.
Ensuring operational readiness, welfare, training, and equipment is not merely a budgetary line item—it is an investment in national resilience. At a time when threats are not only from across the borders but also from within—whether from terrorist groups, separatist movements, or climate-induced emergencies—the armed forces must be well-resourced and well-prepared.
Equally important is the morale and welfare of the personnel who serve. Thousands of soldiers and officers endure harsh terrain, extreme weather, and prolonged deployments in some of the country’s most volatile regions. Their safety, medical care, housing, and post-retirement benefits deserve recognition in real financial terms. This year’s defence budget must be seen as an acknowledgment of their sacrifice, a commitment to sustaining the human backbone of Pakistan’s defence doctrine.
is not a competitor to development—it is its prerequisite. A safe Pakistan is more likely to attract international investment, retain talent, and develop sustainably. Moreover, the government has demonstrated a commitment to fiscal discipline by containing the overall spending while prioritizing critical sectors, including defence, amid IMF obligations. The rise in defence spending has been achieved without derailing macroeconomic stability goals, such as reducing the fiscal deficit and expanding the tax base.
It is also worth noting that Pakistan’s strategic partnerships—particularly with China, Türkiye, and Gulf allies—can be better leveraged when the country demonstrates self-reliance and strength. Defence diplomacy is most effective when backed by credible military capacity. A stronger, more modernized Pakistan Armed Forces enhances regional standing and enables Pakistan to play a more assertive role in regional security dialogues, peacekeeping, and cooperative security frameworks.
The 2025–26 defence budget is a well-calibrated, justified response to a deteriorating regional security climate. It reflects maturity in policy, clarity in priorities, and realism in strategy. It sends a message—not only to adversaries but also to allies and citizens—that Pakistan is aware of its challenges and willing to invest in its long-term survival and sovereignty. Far from being a misstep, this increase signals a renewed commitment to the principles of deterrence, dignity, and national cohesion.
Pakistan’s defence spending is not about waging war; it is about preventing war, by demonstrating preparedness. In a region rife with volatility, ambiguity, and rapidly shifting alliances, strength remains the most effective form of diplomacy. The state’s foremost responsibility is the protection of its people—and in fulfilling that duty, the enhanced defence budget is not only justified—it is indispensable.
