Defence budget increased by 11pc to Rs860.2 billion

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The government has increased the defence budget by 11 percent for FY2016-17, proposing to increase it to Rs860.2bn from Rs780bn of last year. According to the budget documents, an Rs 80 billion increase has been announced in the defence budget. As per break-up, Pak Army budget has been increased to Rs 409 billion from last year’s Rs 371 billion, Air Force’s budget to Rs 179 billion from Rs 164 billion and Pak Navy’s budget to Rs 95 billion from Rs 85 billion. The budget of other security agencies has been increased to Rs 180 billion from last year’s Rs 161 billion. According to the documents, over 17,000 personnel, including 4,400 women, will be appointed to the armed forces. Meanwhile, the import of budget equipment has been exempted from the tax. It has also been proposed not to receive sales tax and customs duty.