Senator Faisal Vawda has called for a significant increase in Pakistan’s defence budget, stating that the Pakistan Army has achieved a major victory against India despite limited resources.
He emphasized that, on a priority basis, development funds should be diverted to double the salaries of armed forces personnel.
Speaking during a Senate session, Vawda proposed tripling the defence budget, asserting that even if sacrifices have to be made in other sectors, national security must not be compromised. “If we show even the slightest weakness in defence, the impact of our battlefield victories will be lost,” he warned.
Vawda praised Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir—recently conferred the honorary title of Field Marshal—for reportedly instructing forces not to target civilians during operations against India. He said the military's strategic victory under difficult circumstances reflects Pakistan's commitment to ethical warfare.
The Senate session also saw strong condemnation from lawmakers of the recent attack on a school bus in Khuzdar, which they attributed to Indian-backed proxies. Senators reaffirmed their resolve to eliminate such threats and paid tribute to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for recognizing General Munir’s leadership by promoting him as Field Marshal.
Senator Vawda further called on the government to resolve political differences with the opposition and present a united front to the world. “Bilawal Bhutto will lead a delegation to inform the international community. We will take this war to its logical end—we will strike inside enemy lines if necessary,” he declared. “We are united, in safe hands, and ready to respond.”
He concluded by stressing that victory must also be achieved on diplomatic and economic fronts. “We are peaceful people and do not want war, but the martyrdom of innocent children will not be forgotten,” he said, referring to the Khuzdar school attack.
