Amid economic crisis, Pakistan increased defense budget, provision of Rs 3,000 billion; Chinese made submarine also arrived

Islamabad. Pakistan (Pakistan) Amidst the financial challenges, the government has played a big bet on the defense sector. Despite financial pressure and rising poverty, Pakistan has increased its defense budget by 17.6 percent to Pakistani rupees 3,000 billion for the year 2026-27. In the last financial year, Rs 2,550 billion was allocated for defence.

Presenting the budget in the National Assembly in Islamabad Muhammad Aurangzeb Said that the government has decided to significantly increase the defense budget keeping in mind the security needs. He said that the total federal budget for the upcoming financial year has been proposed at Rs 18,771 billion, while the target of economic growth rate (GDP Growth) has been kept at four percent.

Talking about government expenses, the largest part will go on loan and interest payments. The government has set aside 8,054 billion Pakistani rupees for this. A provision of Rs 1,169 billion has been made for pension, Rs 1,091 billion for subsidy and Rs 1,000 billion for Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).

Meanwhile, an important step has also been taken towards increasing Pakistan’s maritime power. Pakistan’s first Hangor-class submarine, built under the agreement with China, has reached Karachi port. The project is part of a defense agreement signed in 2015, under which a total of eight diesel-electric attack submarines are to be built.

According to the agreement, the initial four submarines are being built in China by a Chinese company, while the remaining four will be built at Karachi Shipyard through technology transfer. The name ‘Hungor’ is derived from the Bengali word, which means ‘shark’.

The Hangor class submarines are known for their extremely quiet operation capability. According to defense experts, their design is such that it is considered extremely difficult for enemy sonar and surveillance systems to track them.