ISLAMABAD: The federal government is proposing a staggering 114% increase in the development budget for the Ministry of Defence in the upcoming fiscal year 2025–26, marking a major shift in national spending priorities toward defence and internal security.
According to official budget documents, the Ministry of Defence is set to receive Rs 11.554 billion in development funds, up from Rs 5.386 billion allocated in the current fiscal year. This dramatic rise signals the government’s intensified focus on military and security infrastructure amid regional and internal challenges.
The Ministry of Interior is also slated for a budget boost, with its development allocation proposed to rise from Rs 9.78 billion to Rs 10.91 billion.
However, the increased defence spending appears to come at a steep cost to several critical civilian sectors, which are set to face deep funding cuts in the proposed budget.
The Ministry of Climate Change’s development budget is expected to be halved, dropping from Rs 5.26 billion to Rs 2.784 billion. The Ministry of Information Technology will see its allocation slashed from Rs 23.93 billion to Rs 13.53 billion — a reduction of nearly 43%.
The health and education sectors are also significantly affected. The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination is expected to receive Rs 15.34 billion, down from Rs 24.75 billion. The education budget is proposed to be reduced from Rs 20.75 billion to Rs 19.68 billion.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC), responsible for funding universities and research across the country, is projected to receive Rs 45 billion — a substantial cut from the previous Rs 61 billion allocation.
Pakistan Railways, a sector in dire need of modernization, will see its development budget shrink from Rs 35 billion to Rs 24.51 billion. The Ministry of Science and Technology is also facing a reduction, with its allocation proposed to drop from Rs 6.65 billion to Rs 4.79 billion.
The Water Resources Ministry, which oversees critical infrastructure like dams and irrigation, is set to receive Rs 140 billion — a reduction from the current Rs 170 billion.
Interestingly, even the Ministry of Defence Production, which supports indigenous arms and equipment manufacturing, is proposed to receive less — with its development budget falling from Rs 2.72 billion to Rs 1.79 billion.
Read more:SIFC Targets $28 Billion Investment from Gulf States
The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) Division, a key institution tasked with streamlining investment processes, is expected to have its budget trimmed slightly from Rs 523.1 million to Rs 503 million.
The proposed budget reflects the government’s prioritization of national defence and security amid fiscal constraints, but it also raises concerns about the long-term impact of reduced investments in health, education, climate resilience, and innovation. The official budget is expected to be presented later this month in the National Assembly for debate and approval.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.