Islamabad: The Senate defence committee led by Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed visited military's joint staff headquarters in Rawalpindi, where it was briefed by Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Committee, General Rashan Mahmood and his team.
Pakistan military told the committee that India posed the only external threat to the country, perceiving threats with its purchase of weapons worth USD 100 billion, 80 per cent of which, they cited as Pakistan-specific. They shared their thoughts saying the Indian Army's “shopping spree” would continue over the next five years where it would buy weapons worth another USD 100 billion.
India, the world’s second largest arms importer, has more than doubled its military spending over the last decade. Delhi’s defence budget for this year was USD 40.07 billion, the paper said. Members were told this required a continuous evaluation of the situation and up-gradation of the response mechanism.
The committee was also informed that the situation was volatile in view of the suspended dialogue between India and Pakistan and the absence of any conflict resolution mechanism. They also familiarised the committee on how the Joint Staff Headquarters worked as a higher defence organisation and Strategic Plans Division, custodian of the nuclear programme.
