Pakistan’s Budget After Op Sindoor Prioritises Defence Over Development Amid Soaring Debt, IMF Watch

Pakistan has unveiled a PKR 17.573 trillion ($62B) budget for FY26, sharply increasing defence spending by 20% despite a crippling PKR 76,000 billion ($270B) debt and economic instability. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government slashed overall expenditure by 7% but allocated over $11.67 billion to the military, excluding pensions. This move follows last month’s military tensions with India over the Pahalgam terror attack. While Pakistan projects 4.2% growth next year, the actual growth for this year stands at just 2.7% — well below the South Asian average. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb claims the budget aims to reset the economy’s DNA, boost exports, and stabilize reserves. However, economists remain sceptical, warning that IMF-mandated reforms and structural weaknesses continue to weigh down recovery efforts. Is Pakistan choosing military might over economic revival? Watch the full analysis.#pakistan #pakistanbudget2025 #pakistandebtcrisis #defencespending #imfpakistan #pahalgamattack #militaryoverdevelopment #shehbazsharif #pakistaneconomy #aurangzebbudget #indiarelations #toi #toibharat #bharat #breakingnews #indianews