open dyslexic mode

How poor can a country get before it breaks?

Pakistan is heading towards a serious economic disaster and the latest budget proves it. Last year, Pakistan had a budget of $67 billion. This year, it has dropped to $62 billion. But shockingly, instead of focusing on food, jobs, or development, Pakistan has increased its defence budget by 20%, now spending $11.6 billion on the military alone.
It doesn’t stop there. In 2020-21, Pakistan’s debt was $141 billion. Today, it's almost double at $269 billion. And out of its total budget, two-thirds goes into just repaying loans and funding the army. The entire country, with over 240 million people, runs on the remaining one-third.
The result? Around 45% of people live in poverty, and 17% are in extreme poverty, struggling to meet even the most basic needs.
Where is Pakistan headed with such decisions? Is this a budget or a warning bell?

Do you think focusing more on the military than public welfare will help Pakistan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.