Pak Bleeds in Poverty, Yet Showers Guns: Army Gets 20% Budget Hike After Operation Sindoor Debacle

International News: In the hands of India, the government of Pakistan has clarified its priorities despite a crushing defeat, a deepening economic crisis, and the bad life of the general public. The government led by Shahbaz Sharif has allocated 2.55 lakh crore Pakistani rupees to the army in the budget of FY 2025-26, which is about 20 percent more than last year. On the other hand, the total government spending has been reduced by 7% to Rs 17.57 lakh crore—it simply means that the expenditure on the basic needs of the general public was reduced, but the army was further strengthened.

3 crore Pakistanis fall under poverty line in three years

Pakistan's opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has sharply criticised the government's decision. Recently, opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan, quoting the recently introduced economic survey, alleged that the current government had completely failed on the economic front. He claims that in the last three years, 3 crore Pakistanis have gone below the poverty line, and the people are facing inflation, unemployment, and a bad economy.

No development, priority to guns

Pakistan has increased the budget of the army at a time when the reach of common people in the country, such as electricity, health, education and employment, is continuously weakening. Amid the terms of the IMF and the burden of foreign debt, the government has cut the schemes of welfare for the people, but the army has been preferred.

Operation Sindoor's defeat & ISI failure even after reward

Experts believe that Pakistan's army and intelligence agency ISI were not given any accountability despite the mouth eating in Operation Sindoor, India; on the contrary, they have been handed over more resources. Questions are being raised about the former ISI chief and current military chief General Asim Munir being made a field marshal and now the huge increase in the defence budget: has Pakistan's politics has been completely under the army?

'Electricity of fear' at the cost of public

Analysts believe that the power structure of Pakistan is dominated by the army and intelligence agencies rather than democracy. This is the reason that the expenditure on weapons is increasing even in the midst of economic devastation. Public voice, demand for democracy, and basic needs all seem to be buried under the strength of some army.