South Asia News
Pakistan announces 11 percent increase in defence budget
Jun 3, 2011, 18:11 GMT
Islamabad - Pakistan Friday announced an increase in next year's defence budget of 11 percent, to 495-billion-rupees (5.7 billion dollars).
Pakistan's troubled north-west is plagued with Taliban-inspired militia from bordering Afghanistan, whilst Pakistan and India have a long-standing political and military stalemate over disputed Kashmir.
'We stand by our valiant men, who are laying down their lives to safeguard our country,' said Finance Minister Abdul Hafeed Sheikh, saying more than 5,000 military personnel and 30,000 civilians had died in the 'war on terror.'
But opposition parties were not convinced and protested during the budget session, forcing the finance minister to cut short his speech.
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