ISLAMABAD: Allocation for defence for 2020-21 has been raised by 5 percent, one of the lowest ever in the history of the country - from Rs 1.23 trillion in the revised estimates of 2019-20 to Rs 1.29 trillion for 2020-21.

The defence budget is 17.67 percent of the total budgetary outlay and 2.8 percent of next year's projected GDP of 45.5 trillion rupees.

The defense budget does not include pensions, estimated at Rs 369 billion under current expenditure, while other major defense related procurements and strategic programmes are never made public.

The amount budgeted for employee-related expenses is Rs 475 billion which covers salaries and allowances paid to troops in uniform and civilian employees. Operating expenses which cover transport, POL (Petroleum, oil and lubricants), rations, medical treatment, training etc, have been budgeted at Rs 301 billion.

Around Rs 357 billion has been proposed for physical assets utilized for local purchases and import of arms and ammunition and related procurements. Civil works that include funds marked for maintenance of existing infrastructure and construction of new buildings have been budgeted at Rs 155 billion.