/ AFP PHOTO / AAMIR QURESHIThe federal government on Friday proposed a roughly 16 per cent increase in the defence budget as Pakistan continues to face internal and external security challenges. The budget document shows that defence outlay for 2023-24 would be Rs1,804 billion compared to the revised defence spending of Rs1,591 billion earmarked for the outgoing fiscal year. Defence spending has always been the subject of discussions with some seeking greater transparency and open debate about the military’s budget. In recent years, the government provides more details about the defence budget. Observers believe that the increase in the defence budget is justified given the impending external and internal security challenges.
