IMF asks Pakistan to Cut Military Budget

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan’s government to bring down its military spending by as much as one-third of the current military budget so as to cope with the country’s economic crisis. According to a report published in The Australian, Pakistan’s economy is no longer able to support the intensive crackdown on terrorism through the country’s military forces.

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This latest IMF demand of cutting Pakistan’s military expenses as revealed by The Australian remained unknown to popular media until President Asif Ali Zardari’s preparation to visit Saudi Arabia for economic support came to the knowledge of press reporters. It was also announced that General David Petraeus of the United States was expected to arrive in Islamabad this week for talks.

The report published in The Australian further revealed the response of a senior military source in Islamabad, which expressed concern over IMF’s demand, saying that even a 10% reduction in the military budget would cast a significantly adverse effect on the army’s performance against terrorism on Pakistan’s land. The military source was quoted as saying ‘if we go. Al Qaeda wins.’ This response from the military may cause IMF to reconsider its demand for decreasing Pak Army’s budget. . However, the country’s impoverished economy may attest the IMF order as an advance toward a better life for the layman.