LAHORE, May 27: Former President Pervez Musharraf has said Pakistan should not compromise on its minimum defence deterrence. “Pakistan should not think about downsizing in the army as the federal government has not increased the defence budget for the last three years,” said the former army chief, who is also the president of his political party, All Pakistan Muslim League.

He was addressing members of the Pakistan Ex-servicemen Association through a video-link from London here on Sunday. Maj-Gen Rashid Qureshi (retired) was also present.

Pervez Musharraf said the impression that a lot was being spent on defence was wrong. “In the previous budget of Rs3,770 billion only Rs570 billion was allocated for defence, showing government’s priority towards it,” he said and added that only 17 per cent of the budget was being spent on the country’s defence.

The government was using 32 per cent of the total budget for its expenditures which was 15 per cent more than it was allocating on the defence.

Criticising the elements raising voice for reducing the budget for defence allocations, Musharraf said only a ‘strong defence’ could ensure security of Pakistan.

Dr Salman Shah, a key member of the Musharraf team and former finance minister, said the focus of the government would be on the general elections and not on reforms in the next budget.

He said the federal government should have started work on the Kalabagh Dam during its four-year time. It could have changed its name as Benazir Bhutto Dam because it was necessary for the national economy.

Dr Shah said the Musharraf cabinet had approved the construction of five dams, including the Kalabagh Dam, in 2006 but it could not be materialized owing to opposition by ministers from Sindh.