Will Pakistan yield to civilian oversight?

The United States has urged Pakistan to disclose details of its defense and intelligence spending, stressing that transparency is essential to secure both public trust and international credibility. The call was made in the 2025 Fiscal Transparency Report released by the US State Department, which reviews how governments across 140 countries present, audit, and share budgetary information.

Concerns over Pakistan’s budgeting

The report delivered sharp criticism of Pakistan’s budget practices, pointing out that expenditures on defense and intelligence remain outside parliamentary oversight. It noted that Islamabad failed to present its budget on time and did not provide complete data on government debt. While appreciating the publication of past budget documents online and making resource contracts public, the report said the overall system remains disorganized.

According to Pakistan’s 2025–26 budget, a total outlay of 17.57 trillion rupees has been proposed. Of this, nearly 9.7 trillion rupees will go toward debt servicing and repayment, while 2.55 trillion rupees has been allocated to defense—a nearly 20 percent rise from the previous year. The remaining funds are earmarked for pensions, new projects, healthcare, education, and salaries.

Why the US Is pressing for change

Pakistan’s military has long dominated the country’s political and financial landscape, often drawing global criticism over its alleged support for militant groups. With India and other countries accusing Islamabad of nurturing terrorism, Washington’s push for fiscal transparency is seen as a way to bring military spending under civilian control.

The US report argued that without greater openness, Pakistan risks losing international investment and public confidence. For a nation already battling severe economic challenges, adopting transparent practices is seen as critical for long-term stability.

Whether Pakistan heeds Washington’s advice or continues under entrenched military dominance remains an open question.