Pakistan’s economy is in a downward decline, inflation is high, and unemployment is rising. Yet, Naya Pakistan is the 11th largest importer of arms in the world.
According to the annual report released by SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute), China accounted for 51pc of Pakistan’s arm imports in 2010-14 and for 73pc in 2015-19. Further, Pakistan was among the top three buyers of arms from top weapons exporters like Italy and Turkey. Pakistan had a 7.5pc share in arms imports from Italy in 2015-19, and 12pc share in Turkish arms over the same period.