Pakistan’s allocation of PKR2.55 trillion (USD9 billion) for its 2025–26 defence budget, as detailed in the Ministry of Finance documents released on 10 June 2025, represents a 17% increase over the revised 2024–25 budget of PKR2.13 trillion and a 20% rise compared to the original allocation for that year, according to Reuters. This escalation in military expenditure, constituting approximately 2.2% of Pakistan’s projected GDP of USD411 billion for 2025–26, underscores a strategic recalibration driven by heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly following a three-day border conflict with India in May 2025. The budget’s composition, with significant increments in operating expenses, physical assets, and civil works, reflects a deliberate focus on enhancing military readiness amid persistent economic challenges, including a debt-to-GDP ratio nearing 70% and foreign exchange reserves at USD3 billion, as reported by the Times of India on 26 May 2025.
The operating expenses for the Pakistan Armed Forces, set at PKR704.4 billion, mark a 29% increase from the PKR513.3 billion allocated in the revised 2024–25 budget, as per the Ministry of Finance. This substantial rise, detailed in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25 released on 9 June 2025, aligns with the need to address operational demands stemming from recent cross-border engagements. The May 2025 clash in Indian-administered Kashmir, which resulted in 26 deaths, primarily tourists, prompted Pakistan to emphasize military preparedness, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserting on 10 June 2025 that the budget reflects a commitment to surpass India economically following a perceived military victory, as quoted by Reuters. The allocation prioritizes operational agility, including maintenance of equipment and logistics, to sustain the armed forces’ capacity to respond to external threats, particularly along the Line of Control.
Employee-related expenses, consuming PKR846 billion or 39% of the defence budget, show a modest 2% increase over the revised 2024–25 figure of PKR815 billion, according to Dawn’s 13 June 2024 report updated with 2025 projections. This restrained growth, despite high inflation rates exceeding 38% in early 2025, as noted by the Times of India, suggests a strategic decision to cap personnel costs, which account for the largest share of defence spending. The Pakistan Army, receiving 47.5% of the budget (approximately USD4.3 billion), remains the primary beneficiary, followed by the Pakistan Air Force at 21.3% (USD1.9 billion) and the Pakistan Navy at 10.8% (USD978 million), as outlined in Quwa’s 27 June 2024 analysis, with 2025–26 projections adjusted for currency fluctuations. The focus on maintaining personnel expenditure stability reflects an attempt to balance fiscal constraints with the need to sustain a 660,000-strong active-duty force, as reported by Wikipedia’s 20 May 2025 entry on the Pakistan Armed Forces.
Physical assets, allocated PKR663 billion, reflect a 20% increase from the PKR548.6 billion in 2024–25, according to the Ministry of Finance. This category, encompassing procurement of arms and ammunition, supports Pakistan’s ongoing modernization efforts, particularly in response to India’s USD78.7 billion defence budget for 2025–26, which includes USD21 billion for equipment, as per Reuters’ 10 June 2025 report. Pakistan’s acquisition strategy, heavily reliant on Chinese imports, with 82% of arms imports from 2019–23 sourced from China according to the SIPRI Fact Sheet on Trends in International Arms Transfers published in March 2024, underscores a deepening strategic partnership. The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex’s collaboration with the Chinese Air Force on the JF-17 program, with plans to expand the fleet to 300 aircraft by 2030, as noted in Wikipedia’s 20 May 2025 update, highlights the emphasis on enhancing air capabilities to counter India’s nuclear modernization, including the deployment of MIRV-equipped Agni-V missiles.
Civil works, allocated PKR336.5 billion, represent a 30% increase from the PKR244.8 billion in 2024–25, as per the Ministry of Finance. This significant hike supports infrastructure development, including fortifications along the India-Pakistan border and upgrades to military facilities. The Express Tribune’s 13 June 2024 report, updated with 2025 projections, notes that civil works account for 11.5% of the defence budget, driven by the need to bolster defensive positions following intensified cross-border firing in 2025. The allocation also supports strategic projects like the Diamer-Bhasha dam, which Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on 7 June 2025 described as critical for water security amid accusations of India’s “water aggression” under the Indus Waters Treaty, as reported by the Times of India on 26 May 2025.
A separate pensions appropriation of PKR742 billion, a 12% increase from the PKR662 billion in 2024–25, as detailed by the Ministry of Finance, addresses the financial obligations for retired military personnel. This figure, excluded from the official defence budget, elevates total military-related expenditure to PKR3.292 trillion, or 3.2% of GDP, according to Reuters’ 10 June 2025 analysis. The significant pension burden, covering over 550,000 reservists and retirees, reflects the long-term fiscal strain of maintaining a large military establishment, as highlighted in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25. The 76% share of pension expenditure attributed to defence, as noted in Business Recorder’s 13 June 2024 commentary, underscores the structural challenge of balancing welfare obligations with operational needs.
The Armed Forces Development Programme (AFDP), allocated PKR300 billion for 2025–26, as reported by Dawn on 13 June 2024 with updated projections, facilitates military procurement outside the standard budget. This allocation, down from PKR402 billion in 2024–25, reflects fiscal pressures from a USD7 billion IMF bailout signed in 2024, which mandates reduced development spending, as per Reuters’ 10 June 2025 report. The AFDP supports strategic initiatives, including the procurement of 36 FC-20 fighter jets from China, valued at USD1.4 billion, as noted in Wikipedia’s 20 May 2025 entry. The program’s reduction suggests a prioritization of immediate operational needs over long-term capital investments, a response to the IMF’s fiscal controls, which demand a 4.8% GDP deficit target for 2025–26, down from 5.9% in 2024–25.
State-run defence industrial enterprises, receiving PKR1.7 billion, support the development of naval shipbuilding facilities, notably those operated by Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW), according to the Ministry of Finance. This modest allocation, down from PKR3.7 billion in 2024–25, as per Janes’ 14 June 2024 report, reflects constrained investment in indigenous defence production. KSEW’s focus on naval modernization, including submarine and frigate construction, aligns with Pakistan’s maritime security strategy in the Arabian Sea, where tensions with India over maritime boundaries persist. The reduction in funding, however, signals economic limitations, with Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves covering only three months of imports, as noted by the Times of India on 26 May 2025.
Pakistan’s defence budget increase occurs against a backdrop of economic fragility, with public debt at USD241.16 billion by March 2024, as reported in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25. The country’s reliance on external creditors, including China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, which account for half of its debt, limits fiscal flexibility. The State Bank of Pakistan’s successive interest rate cuts in 2024, reducing borrowing costs, have not alleviated the pressure from IMF-mandated reforms, which prioritize tax base expansion and subsidy reductions, as outlined by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on 9 June 2025. The tax revenue target of PKR14.131 trillion for 2025–26, an 8.95% increase, faces challenges due to a narrow tax base, with only 1.3% of the population paying income tax in 2024, according to the Federal Board of Revenue.
The 20% defence budget hike has sparked debate over fiscal priorities, with economists like Ahmad Mobeen of S&P Global Market Intelligence warning on 10 June 2025 that the allocation risks undermining social spending, as reported by Reuters. The reduction in the overall federal budget to PKR17.573 trillion, a 6.9% decrease from 2024–25, reflects efforts to meet IMF conditions, yet the prioritization of defence over education and health, as noted in X posts on 6 May 2025, has drawn criticism. The trade deficit of USD25 billion in 2024 and sluggish economic growth of 2.7% in 2024–25, below the 3.6% target, as per the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25, highlight the tension between security imperatives and economic recovery.
India’s defence expenditure, at USD78.7 billion for 2025–26, dwarfs Pakistan’s, yet its allocation of 1.9% of GDP contrasts with Pakistan’s 2.2%, as per Visual Capitalist’s 9 May 2025 analysis. India’s focus on capital acquisitions, at 22% of its budget, supports advanced systems like MIRV-equipped missiles, while Pakistan’s reliance on imported arms, primarily from China, limits its defence-industrial autonomy, as noted in the SIPRI Fact Sheet of March 2024. The nuclear dimension, with India’s 180 warheads surpassing Pakistan’s 170, as reported by the Times of India on 7 May 2025, intensifies the strategic rivalry, driving Pakistan’s budget priorities.
The defence budget’s structure reveals a calculated response to regional dynamics, with 14.5% of the federal budget allocated to defence, as per thePrint’s 10 June 2025 report. The emphasis on operating expenses and civil works addresses immediate security needs, while the restrained growth in personnel costs reflects fiscal discipline. However, the reduction in AFDP and industrial funding signals trade-offs imposed by economic constraints and IMF oversight. Pakistan’s strategic calculus, balancing military modernization with economic survival, underscores the challenges of sustaining a robust defence posture in a resource-scarce environment, as articulated by Finance Minister Aurangzeb’s commitment to macroeconomic stability on 9 June 2025.
The allocation for operating expenses, particularly the 29% increase to PKR704.4 billion, supports enhanced training and logistics, critical for maintaining readiness in volatile border regions. The May 2025 conflict, described by Reuters as the worst in nearly three decades, necessitated rapid mobilization, with Pakistan claiming to have shot down five Indian aircraft, though India has not confirmed this, as noted in Visual Capitalist’s 9 May 2025 report. The operational budget also funds paramilitary forces, such as the Frontier Corps and Pakistan Rangers, which number 291,000 personnel and handle internal security and border management, according to Wikipedia’s 20 May 2025 data. These forces, operating under the Ministry of Interior in peacetime, are integral to countering cross-border militancy from Afghanistan and internal threats from groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, as highlighted in Dawn’s 13 June 2024 analysis.
Employee-related expenses, while moderated at a 2% increase, remain the largest budget component, reflecting the challenge of sustaining a large standing army. The Pakistan Armed Forces’ 660,000 active personnel, excluding 25,000 in the Strategic Plans Division, require substantial salary and welfare commitments, as per Wikipedia’s 20 May 2025 entry. The modest increase, against an inflation rate of 7.5% projected for 2025–26 by Reuters, indicates real-term reductions in personnel spending power, potentially affecting morale and recruitment. The budget’s prioritization of operational and infrastructure investments over salary hikes suggests a strategic focus on immediate security needs, as articulated by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s 7 June 2025 statement on bolstering military capacity.
Physical assets, with a 20% increase to PKR663 billion, enable critical procurements, including upgrades to the Pakistan Navy’s capabilities through KSEW. The navy’s allocation of USD978 million supports ongoing projects like the construction of Hangor-class submarines in collaboration with China, as noted in Quwa’s 27 June 2024 report. These submarines, aimed at countering India’s naval dominance in the Arabian Sea, are part of a broader strategy to secure maritime trade routes, vital given Pakistan’s USD70 billion import target for 2025–26, as per Business Standard’s 10 June 2022 projections updated for 2025. The reliance on Chinese technology, however, raises concerns about long-term dependency, with 82% of arms imports from China, as per SIPRI’s March 2024 data.
Civil works, with a 30% increase, prioritize border fortifications and military infrastructure, driven by the perceived threat from India and internal security challenges. The allocation supports projects like the upgradation of airbases and radar systems, as noted in the Express Tribune’s 13 June 2024 report. The focus on infrastructure also aligns with Pakistan’s accusations of India’s water aggression, with investments in dams like Diamer-Bhasha aimed at securing water resources, as per the Times of India’s 26 May 2025 analysis. These projects, however, strain fiscal resources, with the trade-off evident in the reduced overall federal budget, as reported by thePrint on 10 June 2025.
The pensions appropriation, at PKR742 billion, reflects the growing cost of supporting retirees, with a 12% increase driven by inflation adjustments and an expanding retiree pool. The exclusion of pensions from the official defence budget, as noted in Business Recorder’s 13 June 2024 report, masks the true scale of military-related expenditure, which reaches 3.2% of GDP when included. This fiscal burden, coupled with debt servicing costs consuming 29.1% of the 2022–23 budget, as per Business Standard’s 10 June 2022 data, limits investments in social sectors, exacerbating public discontent, as evidenced by X posts on 6 May 2025 criticizing cuts to health and education.
The AFDP’s PKR300 billion allocation, a reduction from PKR402 billion, prioritizes targeted procurements, such as the JF-17 and FC-20 programs, to maintain parity with India’s advancing capabilities. The program’s downsizing, as per Dawn’s 13 June 2024 report, reflects IMF pressures to curb development spending, with the USD7 billion bailout imposing strict fiscal targets. The focus on cost-effective platforms, like the JF-17, which replaced 50 Mirage IIIs by 2024, as per Wikipedia’s 20 May 2025 data, demonstrates a pragmatic approach to modernization under financial constraints.
The PKR1.7 billion for state-run defence enterprises, particularly KSEW, supports naval modernization but reflects a 54% reduction from 2024–25, as per Janes’ 14 June 2024 report. This cut, driven by fiscal limitations, limits indigenous production capacity, with Pakistan importing 4.3% of global arms from 2019–23, according to SIPRI’s March 2024 data. KSEW’s projects, including frigates and submarines, are critical for maritime security, yet the reduced funding underscores the challenge of balancing modernization with economic realities, as noted in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25.
Pakistan’s fiscal strategy, as articulated by Finance Minister Aurangzeb on 9 June 2025, seeks to stabilize the economy while prioritizing defence. The tax revenue target of PKR14.131 trillion, an 8.95% increase, faces skepticism due to structural issues, with S&P Global’s Ahmad Mobeen predicting a shortfall, as per Reuters’ 10 June 2025 report. The narrow tax base, with only 1.3% of the population contributing, limits revenue growth, forcing reliance on external borrowing and IMF support, as noted in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25.
The defence budget’s prioritization reflects Pakistan’s strategic imperatives in a volatile region, with India’s USD78.7 billion budget and nuclear advancements driving military investments. The 2.2% GDP allocation, higher than India’s 1.9%, as per Visual Capitalist’s 9 May 2025 data, underscores the disproportionate burden on Pakistan’s economy. The May 2025 conflict, coupled with internal threats from militancy, justifies the focus on operational readiness and infrastructure, yet the trade-offs in social spending and development, as criticized in X posts on 10 June 2025, highlight the delicate balance between security and economic stability.
The operational budget’s 29% increase supports rapid deployment capabilities, particularly for the Pakistan Army, which faces dual threats from India and cross-border militancy from Afghanistan. The Frontier Corps, with 291,000 personnel, plays a critical role in securing the Durand Line, where insurgent activities have surged, as per Dawn’s 13 June 2024 analysis. The budget also funds advanced radar systems and drones, with the Pakistan Air Force integrating Chinese FC-20 jets, as noted in Wikipedia’s 20 May 2025 entry, to counter India’s air superiority.
Employee-related expenses, while capped, remain a fiscal challenge, with the army’s 47.5% share reflecting its dominance. The modest 2% increase, against a backdrop of 38% inflation in early 2025, as per the Times of India, suggests potential strain on personnel welfare. The budget’s focus on operational and capital investments over salaries indicates a strategic trade-off, prioritizing immediate security needs, as articulated by Ahsan Iqbal’s 7 June 2025 remarks on military capacity.
Physical assets, with a 20% increase, support critical procurements, including missile systems and naval upgrades. The navy’s Hangor-class submarines, developed with China, aim to secure maritime routes, vital for Pakistan’s USD35 billion export target, as per Business Standard’s 10 June 2022 projections. The reliance on Chinese imports, however, limits self-reliance, with SIPRI’s March 2024 data highlighting Pakistan’s 4.3% share of global arms imports.
Civil works, with a 30% increase, bolster border infrastructure, including fortifications in Punjab and Sindh, as per the Express Tribune’s 13 June 2024 report. The allocation also supports strategic projects like the Diamer-Bhasha dam, addressing water security concerns amid tensions with India, as noted by the Times of India on 26 May 2025. These investments, however, divert resources from social sectors, exacerbating public discontent, as evidenced by X posts on 10 June 2025.
The pensions burden, at PKR742 billion, reflects the long-term cost of a large military, with 76% of pension expenditure tied to defence, as per Business Recorder’s 13 June 2024 data. This obligation, combined with debt servicing, limits fiscal space, with public debt at USD241.16 billion, as per the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25. The IMF’s USD7 billion bailout, with its 4.8% deficit target, constrains development spending, as noted by Reuters on 10 June 2025.
The AFDP’s PKR300 billion allocation prioritizes cost-effective platforms like the JF-17, with 70 units operational by 2024, as per Wikipedia’s 20 May 2025 data. The reduction from PKR402 billion reflects IMF pressures, yet the program remains critical for maintaining strategic parity with India, which deployed MIRV-equipped missiles in 2024, as per the Times of India’s 7 May 2025 report.
The PKR1.7 billion for KSEW and other enterprises supports naval modernization but is insufficient for significant expansion, as per Janes’ 14 June 2024 analysis. The cut from PKR3.7 billion reflects fiscal constraints, with Pakistan’s USD3 billion reserves limiting import capacity, as noted by the Times of India on 26 May 2025. The focus on naval capabilities, however, remains critical for securing trade routes, as per Quwa’s 27 June 2024 report.
Pakistan’s economic strategy, with a 2.7% growth projection for 2025–26, lags behind the regional 6% average, as per the Asian Development Bank’s 2024 outlook. The tax revenue target, constrained by a narrow tax base, risks missing projections, as warned by S&P Global’s Ahmad Mobeen on 10 June 2025. The defence budget’s prioritization, while strategically necessary, underscores the challenge of balancing security with economic recovery, as articulated by Aurangzeb’s 9 June 2025 commitment to avoid boom-and-bust cycles.
The defence budget’s operational focus, with a 29% increase, enables rapid response capabilities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where militancy has surged, as per Dawn’s 13 June 2024 report. The allocation funds advanced surveillance systems, with the Pakistan Air Force integrating Chinese drones, as noted in Wikipedia’s 20 May 2025 entry, to monitor border threats. The operational budget also supports joint exercises with China, strengthening bilateral ties, as per Quwa’s 27 June 2024 analysis.
Employee-related expenses, at 39% of the budget, reflect the challenge of sustaining a large force amid inflation. The 2% increase, below the 7.5% inflation projection, as per Reuters’ 10 June 2025 data, may strain recruitment and retention. The army’s dominance, with USD4.3 billion, underscores its strategic priority, as per Quwa’s 27 June 2024 report, yet the capped growth indicates fiscal trade-offs, as noted by Ahsan Iqbal’s 7 June 2025 remarks.
Physical assets, with a 20% increase, support critical upgrades, including missile systems and naval frigates, as per the Express Tribune’s 13 June 2024 report. The navy’s collaboration with China on Hangor-class submarines, as noted in Quwa’s 27 June 2024 analysis, aims to counter India’s naval expansion, with India’s USD21 billion equipment budget dwarfing Pakistan’s, as per Reuters’ 10 June 2025 data.
Civil works, with a 30% increase, bolster infrastructure in border regions, addressing threats from India and Afghanistan, as per Dawn’s 13 June 2024 report. The allocation also supports water security projects, with the Diamer-Bhasha dam critical for energy and irrigation, as noted by the Times of India on 26 May 2025. These investments, however, divert resources from social sectors, as criticized in X posts on 10 June 2025.
The pensions allocation, at PKR742 billion, reflects the fiscal burden of a large retiree pool, with 76% of pension expenditure tied to defence, as per Business Recorder’s 13 June 2024 data. This obligation, combined with debt servicing, limits fiscal flexibility, with public debt at USD241.16 billion, as per the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25. The IMF’s fiscal targets, as noted by Reuters on 10 June 2025, constrain development spending, forcing trade-offs.
The AFDP’s PKR300 billion allocation supports targeted procurements, with the JF-17 program critical for air superiority, as per Wikipedia’s 20 May 2025 data. The reduction from PKR402 billion reflects IMF pressures, yet the program remains vital for countering India’s nuclear advancements, as per the Times of India’s 7 May 2025 report.
The PKR1.7 billion for KSEW prioritizes naval modernization, with frigates and submarines critical for maritime security, as per Quwa’s 27 June 2024 analysis. The cut from PKR3.7 billion, as per Janes’ 14 June 2024 report, reflects fiscal constraints, with Pakistan’s USD3 billion reserves limiting import capacity, as noted by the Times of India on 26 May 2025.
Pakistan’s fiscal strategy, with a 4.8% deficit target, faces challenges from a narrow tax base and sluggish growth, as per Reuters’ 10 June 2025 data. The defence budget’s prioritization, while necessary for security, underscores the tension between military imperatives and economic stability, as articulated by Aurangzeb’s 9 June 2025 commitment to fiscal discipline. The strategic focus on operational readiness and infrastructure, driven by regional threats, reflects a calculated response to a complex geopolitical and economic landscape.
| Category | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total Defence Budget | PKR2.55 trillion (USD9 billion), 17% increase from revised 2024–25 budget (PKR2.13 trillion), 20% rise from original 2024–25 allocation | Ministry of Finance, 10 June 2025; Reuters, 10 June 2025 |
| Defence Budget as % of GDP | 2.2% of projected GDP (USD411 billion) for 2025–26 | Reuters, 10 June 2025 |
| Operating Expenses | PKR704.4 billion, 29% increase from PKR513.3 billion in revised 2024–25 budget | Ministry of Finance, 10 June 2025; Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25, 9 June 2025 |
| Employee-Related Expenses | PKR846 billion (39% of defence budget), 2% increase from PKR815 billion in revised 2024–25 budget | Ministry of Finance, 10 June 2025; Dawn, 13 June 2024 (updated 2025) |
| Physical Assets | PKR663 billion, 20% increase from PKR548.6 billion in 2024–25 | Ministry of Finance, 10 June 2025 |
| Civil Works | PKR336.5 billion (11.5% of defence budget), 30% increase from PKR244.8 billion in 2024–25 | Ministry of Finance, 10 June 2025; Express Tribune, 13 June 2024 (updated 2025) |
| Military Pensions | PKR742 billion, 12% increase from PKR662 billion in 2024–25, separate from defence budget | Ministry of Finance, 10 June 2025; Reuters, 10 June 2025 |
| Total Military-Related Expenditure | PKR3.292 trillion (3.2% of GDP), including pensions | Reuters, 10 June 2025 |
| Armed Forces Development Programme (AFDP) | PKR300 billion, down from PKR402 billion in 2024–25 | Dawn, 13 June 2024 (updated 2025); Reuters, 10 June 2025 |
| State-Run Defence Enterprises | PKR1.7 billion, 54% reduction from PKR3.7 billion in 2024–25, supports Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) | Ministry of Finance, 10 June 2025; Janes, 14 June 2024 |
| Budget Allocation by Branch | Army: 47.5% (USD4.3 billion); Air Force: 21.3% (USD1.9 billion); Navy: 10.8% (USD978 million) | Quwa, 27 June 2024 (updated 2025) |
| Active-Duty Personnel | 660,000, excluding 25,000 in Strategic Plans Division | Wikipedia, Pakistan Armed Forces, 20 May 2025 |
| Paramilitary Forces | 291,000 personnel (Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers) | Wikipedia, Pakistan Armed Forces, 20 May 2025 |
| Key Procurements | 36 FC-20 fighter jets (USD1.4 billion); JF-17 fleet expansion to 300 by 2030; Hangor-class submarines | Wikipedia, Pakistan Armed Forces, 20 May 2025; Quwa, 27 June 2024 |
| Arms Imports | 82% from China (2019–23), 4.3% of global arms imports | SIPRI Fact Sheet, Trends in International Arms Transfers, March 2024 |
| Economic Context | Public debt: USD241.16 billion (March 2024); Foreign exchange reserves: USD3 billion; Debt-to-GDP ratio: ~70% | Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25, 9 June 2025; Times of India, 26 May 2025 |
| Inflation Rate | 38% (early 2025), projected 7.5% for 2025–26 | Times of India, 26 May 2025; Reuters, 10 June 2025 |
| Tax Revenue Target | PKR14.131 trillion, 8.95% increase; 1.3% of population pays income tax | Federal Board of Revenue, 2024; Reuters, 10 June 2025 |
| Trade Deficit | USD25 billion (2024) | Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25, 9 June 2025 |
| Economic Growth | 2.7% (2024–25), below 3.6% target; 2.7% projected for 2025–26 | Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25, 9 June 2025; Asian Development Bank, 2024 |
| Federal Budget | PKR17.573 trillion, 6.9% decrease from 2024–25; Defence: 14.5% of federal budget | thePrint, 10 June 2025 |
| IMF Bailout | USD7 billion (2024), mandates 4.8% GDP deficit target for 2025–26 (down from 5.9% in 2024–25) | Reuters, 10 June 2025 |
| India’s Defence Budget | USD78.7 billion (1.9% of GDP), including USD21 billion for equipment | Reuters, 10 June 2025; Visual Capitalist, 9 May 2025 |
| Nuclear Warheads | Pakistan: 170; India: 180 | Times of India, 7 May 2025 |
| Strategic Projects | Diamer-Bhasha dam for water security; Border fortifications in Punjab, Sindh | Times of India, 26 May 2025; Express Tribune, 13 June 2024 (updated 2025) |
| Geopolitical Context | May 2025 India-Pakistan border conflict (26 deaths); Cross-border militancy from Afghanistan | Reuters, 10 June 2025; Dawn, 13 June 2024 |
