Jaipur: Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India’s strategy has left Pakistan reeling. A nation already struggling with a dire financial crisis is now forced to burn through a staggering ₹4 billion every single day just to remain on high alert amidst the escalating tensions.
It appears India has crafted a strategy against Pakistan that is bleeding its already depleted coffers dry even before a single shot is fired in a full-blown war. Pakistan, a nation desperately short of funds, is compelled to squander billions of rupees daily simply to maintain a state of alert and project a semblance of military strength amidst the Indo-Pak tensions. While it faces one economic blow after another, even its supposed allies like China seem to be distancing themselves in this crisis. How it will withstand the devastation of war in such a state remains a significant question.
Emptying Coffers Before the War
The tension between India and Pakistan is at its peak, and its profound impact on the Pakistan economy is becoming increasingly evident. The treasury of a nation that once brandished nuclear threats is rapidly emptying even before any actual conflict. Indeed, after the Pahalgam attack, India adopted a firm approach, strategizing to exhaust and bankrupt Pakistan even before engaging in warfare. From considering the revocation of the Indus Water Treaty to the closure of trade, India has already executed a “water strike” and a “financial strike.” Meanwhile, Pakistan’s empty threats of war, coupled with India’s strong retaliation and heightened border preparedness, have only exacerbated Pakistan’s financial woes, akin to adding fuel to an already raging fire.
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₹4 Billion Daily Just for Alert
The effect of this strategy is such that Pakistan, which has been grappling with a severe economic crisis for a long time, is now forced to spend approximately ₹4 billion Pakistani Rupees every single day just to remain on high alert. According to reports, the Shehbaz Sharif government is compelled to spend around $13 million (approximately ₹4 billion PKR) daily on deploying troops at the border, fuel for aircraft, and transporting equipment to the frontier.
If we consider Pakistan’s annual military budget, it stands at $7.5 billion (around ₹2.10 trillion Pakistani Rupees). However, the estimated monthly cost of just being on high alert amidst the tensions with India could reach a staggering $400 million (approximately ₹11,253 billion Pakistani Rupees).
Expert Opinion on India’s Strategy
Experts are labeling India’s strategy towards Pakistan since the Pahalgam attack as a “slow punishment” for the nation. This involves gradually weakening the adversary through an economic and diplomatic stranglehold. Defense expert JK Bansal states that a bankrupt Pakistan is becoming increasingly isolated on diplomatic platforms. Reports even suggest that due to the severe financial crunch, Pakistan has been forced to halt several military exercises that were initiated to issue veiled threats to India.
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Pakistan’s Gambit Backfires
Seeing India’s military preparations, Pakistan is gripped by a constant fear of attack. This has led to a state of utter desperation, with the nation pleading for aid from other countries. However, even its supposed all-weather friend, China, is not coming to its rescue. Pakistan convened a closed-door meeting at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to lament its situation and garner sympathy from other nations, but it faced significant embarrassment there as well.
It’s noteworthy that Pakistan, in its capacity as a non-permanent member of the UNSC, requested this closed-door meeting. During the session, permanent members like the US, France, Russia, and Britain posed sharp questions to Pakistan. Furthermore, even China, on whose support the neighboring country was relying, did not offer any significant backing. According to sources, member states not only strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack but also raised the issue of targeting tourists based on their religion. Some countries also questioned Pakistan’s missile tests and nuclear threats, labeling them as provocative actions.
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India’s Decisions Leave Pakistan Reeling
On the other hand, India, without incurring excessive expenditure, has begun to cripple Pakistan through its strategic and diplomatic decisions alone. These include a ban on all imports and exports from Pakistan, a prohibition on Pakistani ships entering Indian ports, restrictions on the entry of Pakistani citizens, and the blocking of social media accounts of several Pakistani figures, including Bilawal Bhutto and Imran Khan. Diplomatic strikes against Pakistan in organizations like the IMF and FATF have had a tremendous impact. This is the reason why Pakistan itself approached the UN Security Council for assistance, while India has not even taken a single step towards war.
