Army’s work is not business… Voices raised in the country against the budget of the Pakistani army, former PM told the limit

The Shahbaz Sharif government of impoverished Pakistan presented the country’s budget last week. Pakistan has set aside a whopping Rs 2,122 billion for defense spending in its 2024-25 budget. Even though Pakistan is seeking a loan from the IMF to run the country’s expenses, it has increased its budget for the army by Rs 278 billion compared to last year. Amid the country’s weak economy, voices have started rising over the huge amount released for the army. The strongest voice among them is that of former Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who questioned the role of the army itself. Abbasi said that the job of the army is not to do business, because getting involved in business activities can cause more problems.

Abbasi asked the army to stay away from business

In an interview to Pakistani channel Aaj News, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said, ‘The job of the army is not to do business. The institution should stay away from it as it creates problems.’ The former Pakistani Prime Minister was talking about the many businesses carried out by the army. Like Abbasi, in February, Pakistan’s Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, while hearing a case, had asked the government to ensure that the armed forces focus on defense-related matters rather than commercial activities.

Demand for public discussion on defense spending

Abbasi said that the government should discuss defense spending in front of the people. ‘The budget should be debated at least at the committee level. Some things cannot be said publicly, it can be discussed in the National Security Council. At least the MPs should be taken into confidence on where we are going to spend the amount of Rs 2100 billion.’ He said, ‘Only if you keep the economy strong will you be able to keep guns and run the government. Every step should be on promoting the economy.’

Who should run Pakistan – army or government?

On the role of the army in running the government in the country, he said that if the constitution does not allow it, then such a rule should not run. Emphasizing the need for harmony, Abbasi said, ‘Let there be three independent and impartial governments in the country, your system will be fine.’ He said politicians, judiciary and the establishment (army) should work together.