Pakistan

Defence spending up 18% | The Express Tribune

Published

3 مہینے ago

جون 13, 2024

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ISLAMABAD:

The federal government proposed around 18% increase in the defence budget as the country continued to face internal and external security challenges, the budget document showed on Wednesday.

The defence budget outlay for 2024-25 is Rs2,128 billion – less than 12% of the total budget – compared to Rs1, 809 earmarked for the outgoing fiscal year 2023-24. However, the revised defence spending in the ongoing fiscal year would be Rs1,840 billion.

The defence spending is 1.7% of gross domestic product (GDP), showing a decline compared to the previous years. The defence spending in 2022-23 was around 2% of GDP, the size of which has grown due to the rebasing of the economy.

Defence analysts believe that a 17.6% increase is justified given a record inflation and devaluation of the rupee against the dollar in the last year.

A close look at the budget details revealed that the Rs2,128 billion figure did not include Rs662 billion allocated for pensions of retired military personnel and Rs402 billion

for the armed forces development programme.

According to the budget documents, out of Rs2,128 billion, Rs815 billion have been allocated for employees-related expenses, Rs513 billion for operating expenses, Rs548 billion for local purchases and import of arms and ammunition and Rs245 billion for civil works.

All three services—the army, the navy and the air force—were given an increase in the budget, although the army takes the major share given its size and the role.

On an average, Pakistan spends $13,400 per soldier, India $42,000, Saudi Arabia $371,000, Iran $23,000, while the United States allocates $392,000 per soldier annually, according to defence analysts. The difference, however, between Pakistan and other countries is that the size of their economies is far bigger than Pakistan.

The defence spending has always been the subject of discussions with some seeking greater transparency and open debate about the military’s budget. In recent years, the government provides more details about the defence budget. However, there has never been open debate within the parliament on the subject.

Observers believe that the increase in the defence budget is justified given the impending external and internal security challenges. Since the return of the Afghan Taliban to power, the number of terrorist attacks has increased in Pakistan.

Security forces have been conducting intelligence-based operations to tackle the renewed terror threat. The worsening ties with the Afghan Taliban have also compelled Pakistan to reinforce its resources along the western border.

Despite the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) remaining intact, there have been a few reported violations of the truce, and tensions between Pakistan and India persist.

Highlight

Observers believe that the increase in the defence budget is justified given the impending external and internal security challenges

Related Topics:defence Defence spending up 18%Express Pakistan spending Tribune

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Pakistan

Honda CD70 Dream Latest Price, Installment Plans – Sep 2024 Update – Pakistan Observer

Published

15 گھنٹے ago

ستمبر 20, 2024

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Honda remains leader in bikes market, with its top-selling units like CD 70, and that’s without making any major changes as the entry-level bikes look almost same for a long time. As the CD-70 remains its most selling model, bikes like the CD-70 Dream and Pridor are considered a niche products.

Despite failing to achieve top sales, CD 70 Dream is still in the market, featuring air-cooled, 4-stroke engine that delivers smooth performance and impressive fuel economy, often averaging around 60-70 km/l, making it ideal for daily commuting.

The bike looks better with stylish and modern design with attractive graphics, as compared to simple CD70. People also like its comfort as built quality remains optimum, comparing to other players.

Its pricing makes it accessible to a wide audience, including students and working professionals, solidifying its status as a favorite among motorcycle enthusiasts in Pakistan.

As bikes prices remain out of hands, people are having hard time to upgrade their ride while companies also face low sales.

Honda CD 70 Dream Price

The price of Honda CD70 Dream is Rs168,900 in September 2024.

Honda CD 70 Dream Installments

Installment Plans	Monthly Payments
3 months	Rs56,300
6 months	Rs28,300
9 months	Rs21,890
12 months	Rs17,200
24 months	Rs10,170
36 months	Rs7,800

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Check Property Ownership in Lahore, other Punjab cities Online – Pakistan Observer

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If you live in Lahore or any other city in Punjab; you might have faced difficulties in getting land record in previous years, but now the government made the land verification process smooth with digitization.

To curb the menace of land mafia and to help residents of Punjab, the government rolled out a systematic process and also eased the process of property transfers and real estate transactions.

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Step 2: Find ‘Property Registration,’ on home and click on https://rodportal.punjab-zameen.gov.pk/.

Step 3: It will ask you to select your district and service center.

Step 4: You can search by different options including Bahi number, ID card, registration number, or by person name.

Step 5: After entering details, please advance to ‘Search’ to get the land ownership.

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Suzuki Bolan discontinued in Pakistan after 36 years; Here’s replacement for ‘Carry Dabba’ – Pakistan Observer

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17 گھنٹے ago

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LAHORE – Finally, it’s time to say goodbye to the iconic Suzuki Bolan as Pak Suzuki pulled plugs to replace the minivan with another model. Over the last 3.5 decades, Suzuki Bolan enjoyed decent sales and was valued for its flexibility, serving a multi-passenger vehicle and for commercial purposes.

Amid shift in auto landscape in Pakistan, Bolan becomes latest drive to be discontinued after Suzuki Mehran, which you can still spot.

Pictures of Suzuki Bolan’s last batch surfaced online, and Pakistanis hit nostalgia as many grew up in this vehicle. The final chassis number marked as 01151691. The country’s oldest automaker and maker of Bolan also confirmed discontinuation of the 800cc Carry Dabba.

The company decided to replace Bolan for its outdated design and lack of safety features. Amid its low sales, consumer demand for a modern replacement like Changan Karvaan increased.

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