It ITime for a defence review - Major-General (R) Syed Ali Hamid

The views of this retired major general provide a different perspective of the army's needs. Itis worth a read, even though some might say it is a bit out dated.

With the aim of reducing expenditure, the Armed Forces have themselves conducted many studies in areas which consume a substantial amount of the defense budget such as the system of forces, organization, training, maintenance of equipment etc. These studies could form the basis for an opening dialogue.

In many developed nations of the world, this exercise is carried out on a regular basis and culminates every three to four years in a Defense Review which includes the national defense strategy, force structure, force modernization plans, infrastructure, budget plan, and other elements of the defense program and policies of the country. It is done in consultation with the military and acts as a bridge between the civil and the military by closing the gap between expectations and capabilities. The interim government of Moin Qureshi set a milestone by giving the Armed Forces a Defense Policy. Can the government of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani give the Armed Forces of Pakistan a Defense Review?