Pakistan Military Presses For Hefty Hike In Defence Budget As IMF Flags Fiscal Risks

Key points

• Pakistan Military Presses For Hefty Hike In Defence Budget As IMF Flags Fiscal Risks Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: May 18, 2026, 11:11 IST Sources said the Finance Ministry is currently considering a more modest increase of around 5 per cent to 7 per cent in defence spending Rapid Read Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and PM Shehbaz Sharif (PTI) As Pakistan prepares to unveil its federal budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 next month, a major tussle is underway within the government over the country’s defence spending amid mounting pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
• According to exclusive information accessed by CNN-News18 from a top source in Pakistan’s Finance Ministry, the Pakistan military has sought a steep increase of 20 per cent to 25 per cent in the upcoming defence budget despite Islamabad’s worsening economic condition and strict scrutiny from international lenders.
• The demand from Pakistan’s military...