Opinion | An Imbalanced Defence Budget: Its Impact on Pakistan’s Poor Majority

A population that lacks access to education, healthcare, employment, and economic opportunities is also vulnerable. Human security and economic security are increasingly recognised as essential components of a stable and prosperous nation.

The allocation of national resources reflects the priorities of a state. Governments are expected to balance spending between security needs and the welfare of their citizens. In Pakistan, however, this balance has long been a subject of debate. A substantial portion of the country’s financial resources is devoted to defence, while sectors such as education, healthcare, social welfare, and poverty alleviation often struggle with inadequate funding. This imbalance has significant consequences for millions of ordinary Pakistanis who continue to face economic hardship, unemployment, and limited access to essential services.Pakistan’s security establishment has traditionally justified high defence expenditures by citing regional tensions and perceived external threats. The country’s strategic rivalry with India, concerns regarding border security, and internal security challenges have all been used as reasons for maintaining a large military budget. While every sovereign nation has a legitimate right to defend itself, the question remains whether the current level of defence spending is proportionate to the country’s economic realities and the needs of its people.

Pakistan has faced persistent economic difficulties for decades. Rising inflation, currency depreciation, mounting public debt, and repeated dependence on international financial assistance have weakened the economy. At the same time, millions of citizens continue to live below the poverty line. In such circumstances, many economists argue that greater investment in human development would yield more sustainable benefits than excessive military expenditure.One of the most visible consequences of this spending pattern is the condition of the education sector. Pakistan has one of the largest populations of out of school children in the world. Many public schools lack basic infrastructure, qualified teachers, and adequate learning materials. Rural areas, in particular, face severe educational challenges. A nation that fails to invest sufficiently in education risks limiting the future potential of its youth. Education is not merely a social service; it is a critical driver of economic growth, innovation, and social stability.

The healthcare sector presents a similar picture. Public hospitals in many parts of the country remain overcrowded and underfunded. Access to quality healthcare is often beyond the reach of low income families. Preventable diseases continue to affect large sections of the population, while medical facilities in remote regions remain inadequate. Greater investment in healthcare could significantly improve life expectancy, productivity, and overall quality of life for millions of citizens.Another area affected by limited public investment is employment generation. Pakistan has a young population with immense potential, but unemployment and underemployment remain major concerns. Productive investment in industries, technology, infrastructure, and skills development could create opportunities for young people and reduce economic vulnerability. Instead, a disproportionate focus on military spending diverts resources away from sectors capable of generating long term economic growth.

The burden of this imbalance falls most heavily on the poor. Wealthier sections of society often have access to private schools, private hospitals, and alternative economic opportunities. Poor families, however, depend largely on public services. When these services remain underfunded, it is the disadvantaged majority that suffers the most. Limited educational opportunities reduce social mobility, poor healthcare increases vulnerability, and lack of employment prospects perpetuates the cycle of poverty.Economic inequality is further intensified when public resources are not distributed in a manner that addresses the needs of the broader population. Social welfare programmes, food security initiatives, housing projects, and poverty reduction schemes require substantial financial support. Yet these sectors frequently receive less attention than military priorities. The result is a widening gap between the state’s security objectives and the everyday struggles of ordinary citizens.Supporters of high defence spending argue that national security is a prerequisite for development. They contend that without a strong military, economic progress would be impossible. While security is undeniably important, modern concepts of national security extend beyond military strength. A population that lacks access to education, healthcare, employment, and economic opportunities is also vulnerable. Human security and economic security are increasingly recognised as essential components of a stable and prosperous nation.

Several countries around the world have demonstrated that investment in human development can produce remarkable economic results. Nations that prioritised education, healthcare, research, and infrastructure were able to achieve sustained growth and improved living standards. Their experiences suggest that long term prosperity depends not only on military capability but also on the development of human capital.For Pakistan, the challenge is not necessarily to abandon defence spending but to achieve a more balanced approach. Strategic security requirements must be weighed against pressing social and economic needs. Greater transparency in budgetary decisions, stronger parliamentary oversight, and a national dialogue on spending priorities could help create a more equitable allocation of resources.

The country’s future depends largely on its ability to empower its people. Investing in schools, hospitals, employment programmes, and social welfare initiatives would strengthen the foundations of society and contribute to lasting stability. A healthy, educated, and economically secure population is one of the greatest assets any nation can possess. The imbalance between defence expenditure and social development spending continues to have profound implications for Pakistan’s poor majority. While national security remains important, sustainable progress requires a broader understanding of security that places people at its centre. Redirecting greater resources toward human development would not only improve the lives of millions but also contribute to a stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous Pakistan in the years ahead.

aatiflonekashmir@gmail.com