War on terror costs Pakistan Rs 2 trillion

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has spent over Rs 2082.942 billion on the 'war on terror' since 2004, a document released by the Ministry of Finance said today.

This included direct cost of Rs 450.222 billion and indirect cost of Rs 1632.720 billion, said the Draft Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper-II, released here.

The economy suffered direct and indirect losses in terms of exports, foreign investment, privatisation, industrial production and tax collection because of the continuing war on terror.

According to the document, Pakistan's participation in the anti-terrorism campaign has led to the massive unemployment in the affected regions.

Frequent bombings, worsening law and order situation and displacement of the local population have taken a toll on the socio-economic fabric of the country, it added.

"The government is in the process of devising a strategic policy to overcome the menace of terrorism which have captivated the entire country," the document said.

The anti-terror campaign which began in the wake of the World Trade Centre bombing in the US in 2001, over-strained Pakistan's budget as allocation for law enforcement agencies had to be increased significantly.

This resulted in erosion of resources for the development projects all over Pakistan, particularly FATA and NWFP areas in addition to human sufferings and resettlement costs.