2/13/2012 06:48:00 AM
JACOBABAD: Pakistan’s army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has said that only 18 per cent of country’s total budget is allocated for armed forces while wrong facts and figures are quoted in TV talk shows in this regard.
Speaking at the Shahbaz Airbase during a ceremony on Monday, the army chief said that out of 18 percent Pakistan Army got only 8 to 9 per cent budget.
He said that the army had not received Rs1.5 billion in account of Coalition Support Fund. General Kayani said that new F-16 Block-58 fighters would prove a great asset for the Pakistan Air Force and would strengthen its defence capabilities.
When asked whether the new F-16 fighters would be used in tribal region where the armed forces have been battling insurgents, the the army chief said although it was not an appropriate forum to discuss the issue, nominal force would be used in the insurgency stricken region.
Speaking about restoration of Nato supply routes and relations with the United States, Kayani said that the prime minister had given a categorical statement that the parliament would take any decision in this regard. He said that the Pakistan military had capability to respond in befitting manner to any Indian aggression.
Speaking on the occasion Air Chief Rao Qamar Suleman said that Shahbaz Air Base was in under complete control of the Pakistan Air Force.
Answering a question regarding extension in his term, the air chief said the question should be asked to the government.
Posted in: NATIONAL
