RAWALPINDI, June 7 (DNA): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed
Bajwa has said that the military’s decision to forgo an annual increase
in defence budget is “not a favour to the nation.”

“Irrespective of the voluntary cut in defence budget in upcoming
financial year, there shall be no impact on our response potential to
all types of threat and the quality of life of the soldiers,” ISPR
quoted him as saying that while speaking to the troops after offering
Eidul Fitr prayers.

General Bajwa spent Eid with the troops stationed along the Line of
Control (LoC). He interacted and exchanged Eid greetings with them.

Special prayers were offered for peace, progress and prosperity of the
country on the occasion.

COAS spent Eid with troops along LOC. “Best Eid for a soldier is to have
pride for being on duty of defending the motherland even on such festive
days away from family. For defenders of Pakistan, our first family is
the Pakistani nation, then the ones back home”, COAS.

COAS said the best Eid for a soldier is to take pride in defending the
motherland even on such festive days away from his family. “Remember,
for us, the defenders of Pakistan, our first family is the Pakistani
nation, then the ones back home,” he said while addressing the
servicemen.

Talking about the military’s decision to forgo a routine increase in
military budget, he is “this initiative is not a favour to the nation as
we are one, through thick and thin.”

Gen Bajwa said “the no pay raise decision is also only for the officers
and not for the soldiers.

“We shall manage the shortfall during the fiscal year by tightening our
belt in areas where it doesn’t effect the two aforesaid aspect.” DNA

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