We’ll have to tighten our belts to increase defense budget, says Faisal Vawda

ISLAMABAD: “Pakistan’s armed forces killed 258 Indian army personnel, now we have to talk about the defence budget,” Senator Faisal Vawda said in his speech in the Senate today.

“The salaries of all army forces will have to be doubled,” Vawda said, adding that the armed forces fought a major battle with limited sources. Therefore, Pakistan government needs to talk about the defence budget and not development.

“We have to increase the defense budget by tightening our own belts,” he added.

Senator Vawda also said that defending the ceasefire is not Pakistan’s weakness. He also shared his opinions on the domestic political situation, saying that the government should be brave and welcome the opposition.

INDO-PAK SITUATION REMAINS TENSE

Pakistan has declared a staff member of the High Commission of India, as persona non grata for engaging in activities “inconsistent with his privileged status.” This is the second diplomat to have been expelled in two weeks.

Meanwhile, India’s water aggression against Pakistan has entered a new phase as it has reportedly stopped the flow of water from the Kishanganga Dam, raising serious concerns about water shortages in parts of Azad Kashmir.

According to local officials and security sources, the water level in the Neelum River has dropped by nearly 40 per cent, creating fears of an upcoming crisis in the region.

India has also accelerated work on a project to connect the Chenab River with the Beas and Ravi systems, which is being considered internationally against the spirit of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Also read: India halts water flow to Pakistan from Kishanganga Dam