US Presses Pakistan to Ensure Transparency in Defence and Intelligence Spending

The United States has urged Pakistan to make its military and intelligence expenditures more transparent by subjecting them to parliamentary scrutiny and, where possible, public oversight. The demand comes as part of Washington’s annual Fiscal Transparency Report, which evaluates how governments disclose their financial operations and whether citizens can hold institutions accountable.

According to the report, Pakistan continues to keep significant portions of its defence budget and intelligence allocations away from open discussion. While officials argue that secrecy is required for national security, the lack of clarity has raised concerns over accountability, mismanagement of funds, and unchecked growth in defence spending.

At the same time, the report does note some progress. Pakistan’s end-of-year financial reports are now available online, and the role of the Supreme Audit Institution is highlighted as relatively independent and credible. Yet the gap remains wide when it comes to publishing a detailed executive budget proposal that the public or parliament can debate meaningfully.

This call for transparency comes at a critical time. Pakistan’s 2025-26 budget has seen defence spending climb by nearly 20%, even as the country faces mounting debt obligations and limited fiscal space for development. For many analysts, this imbalance reflects a deeper structural problem: resources are consumed by security institutions, while public welfare, education, and healthcare remain underfunded.

The United States and other international partners have long tied the issue of fiscal transparency to economic stability. Greater disclosure, they argue, can help Pakistan secure favorable financial terms, rebuild international confidence, and strengthen its democratic institutions. For Pakistan, however, the challenge lies in balancing security imperatives with democratic accountability—a task that will require both political will and institutional reform.

If implemented seriously, these reforms could represent a turning point in how Pakistan manages its finances. Allowing civilian oversight of defence and intelligence allocations would not only improve credibility at home and abroad but also signal a stronger commitment to transparency in governance.