During President Xi Jinping’s 2015 visit to Pakistan, a significant agreement was forged for China to construct eight Hangor-class submarines for Pakistan, enhancing its naval power. “The submarines will play a pivotal role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. It would add a new dimension to the ever-tested Pakistan-China friendship,” said Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Pakistani Chief of Naval Staff.
Despite these military advancements, Pakistan is grappling with an acute economic crisis, exacerbated by last year’s devastating floods, which led to a severe reduction in the GDP growth projection from 5% to 0.29%. The national budget reflects a 15.4% increase in defense spending, totaling 18000 crore Pak rupees, even as the nation contends with skyrocketing inflation and widespread poverty.
The economic hardships have led to public discontent, with severe shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicines reported in the Pakistani media. Many believe that the real power in Pakistan lies with the military, which commands a significant portion of the national budget and operates vast revenue-generating enterprises. This perception is reinforced by international discussions, such as those held by the IMF, which highlight the disproportionate allocation of resources to the military at the expense of civil needs, the EurAsian Times report said.
Adding to the controversy, recent reports from the BBC and other media outlets have suggested that despite Pakistan’s official stance of neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, there have been covert operations involving the supply of arms to Ukraine. These reports allege that under American pressure, Pakistan engaged in secret deals that not only violated its declared neutrality but also provided substantial profits from arms sales.
