ISLAMABAD. Mar 2: Pak ishvn s press warned ’oday that New Delhi was building a fortress India" with Its record hike in defence spending, reports AFP.

Islamabad would now be under intense pressure to push up its own defence budget after the 28 per cent rise in Indian de fence spending, the papers said.

The effort, it appears, is to create a 'fortress India,' sheltered by layers of modern defence systems, capable of posing a mortal danger to the less secure nations in the neighbourhood and confronting bigger competitors like China. The News daily said in an editorial.

Pakistan and India have had a confrontational relationship since the end of British colonial rule, lighting three wars in the past 53 years.

Tensions have increased in recent weeks In the disputed

Himalayan state of Kashmir, which both countries claim, where shelling across the ceasefire line claims Ilves every day.

"Not without reason India's defence Increase will put the Pakistani defence establishment under enormous pressure to take appropriate measures." The News said.

"There will be an irresistible demand for better defence preparedness. which, even if not met with an Increase In spending. will still require ploughing of more resources towards defence."

Pakistan's military ruler General Pervez, Musharraf announced a five-per cent cut in delcnce spending, a saving of 140 million dollars, shortly after taking power in a coup In October.

India's spending hike is larger than Pakistan's overall

defence budget, set at 142 billion rupees (2.8 billion dollars) for the current financial year.

Other papers said a develop ing country like India should pour Its money into tackling poverty, not building up military might.

"India has yet to overcome its appalling poverty and much larger funds than are presently being allocated need to be diverted towards social development and the health and educa tion sectors." The Nation daily

Again the paper warned Islamabad would be forced to build up its own defence capability in response.

building up our nuclear deterrent Is probably the most cost-effective option at present, with the resultant lowering of regional stability an acceptable price." The Nation said.