‘Pak, India need to cut defence spend’

[thestringshredder]

‘Pak, India need to cut defence spend’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said both Islamabad and New Delhi need to sit down for serious talks to resolve the lingering issues between them for the benefit of their respective countrymen.

During a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistani Journalists Forum in Jeddah on Sunday, Sharif said progress and prosperity could not be achieved without peace in the region. Sharif is on a private visit to Saudi Arabia.

Talking about Indo-Pak relations, Sharif said he was quite optimistic that talks would be held soon. "I had a telephonic call from Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after the election and we discussed the need for the restart of bilateral dialogue," he said. "We would like to have a good relationship with all neighbouring countries."

The prime minister said his government wished the two countries set a limit to their defence budgets, arguing that due to the previous wars between them damages had been incurred only by the people and the countries had gone backward. "When we have a strong economy, there would be no one to put pressure on us, there would be no terrorism, no attacks from outside or diktats," Sharif said. Citing the example of the US and Russia, he said India and Pakistan should follow them by adopting similar policies to restrict their defence budgets.

"We (Pakistan and India) have been piling up weapons for the past 60 years," Sharif said. "Instead of spending so much on arms, we should focus on investing in social infrastructure for the benefit of our people."

Terming the recently announced Gwadar-Kashghar economic corridor a game changer, he said special industrial zones would be set up in Gwadar to facilitate foreign investment. Sharif said the development of this port and the proposed economic corridor would change the dynamics of the region and expressed hope the project would help boost economic activities in the region. "Gwadar would emerge as the future economic hub of the region and would not only benefit Pakistan but also India, Afghanistan and the Central Asian states," Sharif said. "There is no short-cut to success and prosperity. We just need to prioritize our problems. Our foremost priority is to boost economic activities in the country and to check the menace of terrorism."

Link - ‘Pak, India need to cut defence spend’ - The Times of India

 

[karanrocks]

We have money and we will spend it ...!!

 

[acetophenol]

‘Pak, India need to cut defence spend’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said both Islamabad and New Delhi need to sit down for serious talks to resolve the lingering issues between them for the benefit of their respective countrymen.

During a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistani Journalists Forum in Jeddah on Sunday, Sharif said progress and prosperity could not be achieved without peace in the region. Sharif is on a private visit to Saudi Arabia.

Talking about Indo-Pak relations, Sharif said he was quite optimistic that talks would be held soon. "I had a telephonic call from Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after the election and we discussed the need for the restart of bilateral dialogue," he said. "We would like to have a good relationship with all neighbouring countries."

The prime minister said his government wished the two countries set a limit to their defence budgets, arguing that due to the previous wars between them damages had been incurred only by the people and the countries had gone backward. "When we have a strong economy, there would be no one to put pressure on us, there would be no terrorism, no attacks from outside or diktats," Sharif said. Citing the example of the US and Russia, he said India and Pakistan should follow them by adopting similar policies to restrict their defence budgets.

"We (Pakistan and India) have been piling up weapons for the past 60 years," Sharif said. "Instead of spending so much on arms, we should focus on investing in social infrastructure for the benefit of our people."

Terming the recently announced Gwadar-Kashghar economic corridor a game changer, he said special industrial zones would be set up in Gwadar to facilitate foreign investment. Sharif said the development of this port and the proposed economic corridor would change the dynamics of the region and expressed hope the project would help boost economic activities in the region. "Gwadar would emerge as the future economic hub of the region and would not only benefit Pakistan but also India, Afghanistan and the Central Asian states," Sharif said. "There is no short-cut to success and prosperity. We just need to prioritize our problems. Our foremost priority is to boost economic activities in the country and to check the menace of terrorism."

Link - ‘Pak, India need to cut defence spend’ - The Times of India

though what he is saying is correct,IMO India should atleast maintain the current defence budget.

 

[SHAMK9]

"When we have a strong economy, there would be no one to put pressure on us, there would be no terrorism, no attacks from outside or diktats," Sharif said.






]

The only part I agree with

 

[naveen mishra]

if will cut .....Pakistan will face more problem.......Pakistan not only has to face ....enemy like Indian.......their internal issue is also big challenge for them.............polish, i hardly see any active role......every think is control by their arm force.....Baluchistan/swat valley........i was surprise when i saw yesterday on you tube.... that gilgit baltistan also want freedom and they want to merge with azad kashmir .......... and big agitation already start for separation of gilgit baltistan from ***..........and they don't want any more to be part of Kashmir...............balochi already made their stand very clear......they even don't want to discuss autonomy .............only freedom is solution..........

from information is seems that only Punjabi is controlling entire nation and dominating

so it is clear .......Pakistan can control only with muscle power ...........it is not because of indian only.....Indian will remain enemy forever .........they required because they have big internal issue..........they can keep Pakistan one ............till their army muscle is strong .......other philosophy will not work......it is toooo late............when i see condition of Baluchistan......it looks like democratic dictatorship

 

[Mech]

This is all good if pakistan is the only threat to India. China factors heavily these days.

 

[Hulk]

We are now having growing concerns from China and we are going to focus on that in near future.

 

[joekrish]

Mr. Sharif is talking in the right direction but that only pertains to Pakistan, only and if only India reduces it's budjet Mr. Sharif can convince PA to bring down its defence spendings, more over it's over burdening the Pakistani economy trying to keep up with the Indian defence purchases but I dont see this changing much coz of Chinese factor.

 

[Pulsar]

And we'll not cut the spend until the last terrorist infiltrating from across is sent to heaven. And Hafiz Saeed and Co too!!

 

[dray]

And we'll not cut the spend until the last terrorist infiltrating from across is sent to heaven. And Hafiz Saeed and Co too!!

"Hell" is more of a possibility!

 

[SRP]

Not possible. As economy grows defence budget will grow accordance to it.

For Pakistan there is a bigger enemy inside than India. i.e terror groups. If you cut budgets how your army and air force will fight with them.

For India there is China factor. So no way we can reduce our defence budget.

Thank you Sharif'ji but no thank you.

 

[Alpha1]

If mutual disarmament occurs önly then the Defence budget can be decreased!

We have money and we will spend it ...!!

And we both will go bankrupt!

 

[mkg00179504]

Nawaz get a life.We will never cut our defence budget, India can do whatever they think is right for them and can spend as much they want.

 

[Alpha1]

though what he is saying is correct,IMO India should atleast maintain the current defence budget.

If both countries agree on mutual disarmament then there is No need to maintain such a high budget!

 

[Gautam]

Our defense budget is not aimed at Pakistan these days. So dont worry Nawaz Miyan. Pakistan is not a threat anymore. But I feel Pakistan should increase the budget as it has to fight inside out.