Civil societies ask Pak govt to reduce defence expenditure

Islamabad, Sept 29 : Various civil society organisations in Pakistan have demanded of the federal government to cut down expenditures on defence and armaments and utilise the saved money for relief and uplift of the poor hit by the rise in prices of food and energy.

The demand was made by representatives of the CSOs who met here in connection with the upcoming Commonwealth Finance Ministers' meet in St Lucia in October on the theme of "Implications of high food and energy prices for economic management", reported the Dawn.

The Pattan Development Organisation in collaboration with the Commonwealth Foundation organised the Islamabad consultation.

Besides the Pakistani civil society organisations, leaders and representatives of CSOs from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and the Maldives also took part in the meeting and emphasised on greater contribution by the civil societies.

ANI