ISLAMABAD, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said that the voluntary cut in the annual defense budget by the army will not influence their response potential to all types of threat, an army statement said Wednesday.
Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the army's voluntary cut in defense budget by praising it for not receiving an increased share in the next financial year (FY) 2019-2020, for the betterment of national economy.
Talking about voluntary decision to forego even the routine increase in annual defense budget, the army chief said Wednesday that the initiative is not a favor to the nation as they are a part of the nation and stands with it through thick and thin.
Talking to the troops along the Line of Control between Pakistan and India, Bajwa said that irrespective of the voluntary cut in defense budget in the coming FY, there will be no impact on the quality of life of the soldiers.
The no pay raise decision is also only for the officers and not for the soldiers, and the military will manage the shortfall during the FY by tightening its belt in areas where it does not affect its work excellence and the lives of common soldiers.
Bajwa visited troops to spend Muslim festival of Eid with them and offered prayers for the peace and prosperity of the country.
