War is Ugly and would Destroy both India and Pakistan

by Dr. Aslam Abdullah

India and Pakistan are engaged in a war of words that in the view of many may turn into an actual war causing millions to suffer. If the countries go to war, they would destroy billions to hurt each other without achieving any purpose other than glorifying their pride. War never solves any problem, it exacerbates it. War is not in the interest of the warring nations. It only helps those who know how to turn human corpses into money. The taxpayers’ money is usually spent in importing arms and ammunition from weapon manufacturers, who do not care about human lives.

The war threats force the nations to spend more on war preparations. Every bullet that is fired to prepare the troops costs 22 cents and the arms industry produce 12 billion rounds of bullets every year, most of which is spent in preparing for wars.

It is in the interests of weapon manufacturers to ensure that wars continue perpetually, otherwise, their factories would be closed down and their source of livelihood would dry out. All they need to do is to buy a few politicians and generals, journalists, academicians and researchers in nations in conflict with each other to convince the power elites that war is in the best interest of their national security who would use every possible means to prepare public opinion for war. They would use religion, scriptures, God, nationalism and what not to promote the war.

Pakistan spends some 23 percent of its national spending on defense compared with 1.3 percent on health and 7.8 percent on education. India is no different in that. Imagine, if the two countries, instead of spending $60 billion on defense spend half of that amount on education and health, their dependence on IMF and world-leading banks would diminish.

It is proven that when nations spend more on health care and education, they achieve higher standards of living and development. When they spend more on defense, they live in perpetual fear and anxiety. Ironically, some of the countries that invest heavily on defense are classified as Muslim majority countries.

The two countries are not unique in spending their vital national resources on defense. Military spending is important to most nations, with each country spending to its own need and ability. But the need and ability are often determined by political circumstances. Canada spends 6.3 percent of its total yearly budget on military spending. The United States spends 19.3 percent of its budget on military expenses. Mexico uses 3.3 percent of its budget for military spending.  Nicaragua spends 3.2 percent of its yearly budget on military expenses. In Columbia, military spending is 11.9 percent of its annual budget. Argentina military spending is 5.9 percent of its yearly budget.

In Scandinavia and Europe, military spending is relatively low. Norway spends 4.8 percent of its budget on military spending, while its neighbor Sweden spends 4.3 percent of its budget on the military. In the U.K., military spending is 6.3 percent of the yearly expenditure. In Germany, military spending is 3.3 percent. In France, military spending is 5.4 percent of France’s yearly budget. Italy uses 4.5 percent of its annual budget for military spending. The annual military spending of Spain is 4.2 percent.

In the Middle East, the level of military spending is generally higher than in Europe. In the United Arab Emirates, military spending makes up 45.7 percent of the country’s annual budget. In Iran, military spending is 21.7 percent of its allocated budget. The military expenditure of Pakistan is 23.1 percent of all its yearly expenditures.  Morocco spends 13.6 percent of its annual budget on military expenditures. The military of South Africa is 4.8 percent of its budget. In India, military spending is 18.6 percent of its total spending. Thailand spends 7 percent of its money on its military. Indonesia sends 6.5 percent of its budget in the military. Australia spends 7.1 percent of its budget on its military. New Zealand military spending is 3.1 percent of the New Zealand yearly budget. In China, 18.2 percent of the annual budget is spent on military expenses. South Korea spends 12 percent of its total yearly expenditures on the military. In Japan, the military spending percentage is 6.4 percent of the country’s annual budget. Russia spends 18.7 percent of its annual budget on the military.

When it comes to health care Canada spends 17.9 percent of its total yearly budget on health care. The United States spends 19.3 percent of its budget on health care expenses. Mexico uses 11.8 percent of its budget for health care. Nicaragua spends 17 percent of its yearly budget on health care. In Columbia, health care spending is 17 percent of its annual budget. Argentina health care spending is 14.2 percent of its yearly budget. Norway spends 17.9 percent of its budget on health care spending, while its neighbor Sweden spends 13.8 percent of its budget on health care. In the U.K., health care spending is 16.3 percent of the yearly expenditure. In Germany, health care spending is 17.9 percent. In France, health care spending is 16.7 percent of France’s yearly budget. Italy uses 14.2 percent of its annual budget for health care spending. The annual health care spending of Spain is 15.5 percent. In the United Arab Emirates, health care spending makes up 8.7 percent of the country’s annual budget. In Iran, health care spending is 11.5 percent of its allocated budget. The health care expenditure of Pakistan is 1.3 percent of all its yearly expenditures. Morocco spends 4.8 percent of its annual budget on health care expenditures. The health care of South Africa is 9.1 percent of its budget. In India, health care spending is 3.4 percent of its total spending. Thailand spends 11.3 percent of its money on its health care. Indonesia sends 6.2 percent of its budget in the health care. Australia spends 17 percent of its budget on its health care New Zealand health care spending is 18.4 percent of the New Zealand yearly budget. In China, 9.9 percent of the annual budget is spent on health care expenses. South Korea spends 11.7 percent of its total yearly expenditures on health care. In Japan, health care spending percentage is 17.9 percent of the country’s annual budget. Russia spends 10.8 percent of its annual budget on health care.

When it comes to spending on education, Canada spends 12.7 percent of its total yearly budget on education. The United States spends 17.1 percent of its budget on education expenses. Mexico uses 24.3 percent of its budget on education spending. Nicaragua spends 15 percent of its yearly budget on education. In Columbia, education spending is 15.6 percent of its annual budget. Argentina education spending is 13.8 percent of its yearly budget. Norway spends 16.2 percent of its budget on education spending, while Sweden spends 12.8 percent of its budget on education. In the U.K., education spending is 11.5 percent of the yearly expenditure. In Germany, education spending is 9.5 percent. In France, education spending is 11.4 percent of France’s yearly budget. Italy uses 10.3 percent of its annual budget for education spending. The annual education spending of Spain is 11.3 percent of its budget. In Tthe United Arab Emirates, education spending makes up 22.5 percent of the country’s annual budget. In Iran, education spending is 17.7 percent of its allocated budget. The education expenditure of Pakistan is 7.8 percent of all its yearly expenditures.  Morocco spends 26.4 percent of its annual budget on education expenditures. The education of South Africa is 18.5 percent of its budget. In India, education spending is 12.7 percent of its total spending. Thailand spends on education. Australia spends 13.3 percent of its budget on education. New Zealand education spending is 15.1 percent of the New Zealand yearly budget. In China, 12.1 percent of the annual budget is spent on education expenses. South Korea spends 15.5 percent of its total yearly expenditures on education. In Japan, the education spending percentage is 10.5 percent of the country’s annual budget. Russia spends 11.5 percent of its annual budget on the education.
Obviously, the money that is being spent on defense from taxpayers pockets who have been convinced that their safety lies only in a strong military. India and Pakistan have created a situation where the power elites fume hatred against each other and ensure that from time to time the slogans of war are raised to frighten their people and earn more of their tax money to buy more weapons.

Look at the following data to understand the amount of money the two countries have spent on strengthening their defense. Imagine if they live in peace without fearing any intervention from each other, how much growth and development they can achieve in a short period of time. War can be initiated any time, but peace requires patience and sustained efforts of visionary leaders who can swallow their pride and ego and work for the welfare and well being of common people.

India’s military budget is $53 Billion. Pakistan’s military budget is $7 Billion  

India has 4.7 million troops. This includes active troops, reserved troops, and paramilitary forces. India’s total troops’ strength is 4th in the world and more than China and the USA

Pakistan has 1.4 million troops. This includes active troops, reserved troops, and paramilitary forces. They are 10th in the list of most number of military troops in the world.

India possesses a total of 2086 Aircraft which is 4th in the world. This includes Fighter Aircraft, Bomber Aircraft Attack Aircraft and many other types.

Pakistan possesses 923 aircraft and is 11th in the world. This includes Fighter Aircraft, Bomber Aircraft, Attack Aircraft and many other types.

India has total 6464 battle tank which is 4th in the world.

Pakistan has a total 2924 battle tank which is 10th in the world

India owns 5 Military Satellites in space Aircraft carriers and is one of the only 18 countries with at least 1 Military Satellite.

Pakistan does not have any Military Satellite.

The total number of Navy Ship India possess is 295. They are 7th in the world in terms of Navy Ship strength.

Total Number of Navy Ship Pakistan possess is 197. Pakistan is 11th in the world in terms of Navy Ship strength.

India owns 13 Sub Marine which is 8th highest in the world.

Whereas Pakistan owns 5 Sub Marines,16th highest in the world.

 India owns a total of 11 Destroyers and is 6th in the list.

Pakistan owns 1 Destroyer and is 19th in the list.

India has 2 nuclear submarines and is one of the only 6 countries who owns a nuclear submarine.

Pakistan does not have any nuclear submarine.

India and Pakistan both have 90-110 Nuclear weapons and are 6th in the world.
Obliviously, it is in the best interests of the weapon industry to ensure that the two countries keep on piling arms and ammunition on a regular basis. This would not be possible without raising the slogans of war. This is precisely what the power elites of India and Pakistan are doing. They have enlisted the services of religious leaders to their cause who are invoking the name of God to prepare masses to get ready for the blood bath of their enemies.