Pakistan’s arms imports ‘grow 66pc with Chinese help’

• Stockholm-based SIPRI says global arms transfers rise nearly 10pc, fuelled by conflicts • US solidifies role as top supplier; Russian arms exports plummet by nearly two-thirds • France becomes second-biggest exporter, with India as its biggest client ISLAMABAD: As global transfers of major arms surged by nearly 10 per cent over the past five years, Pakistan’s arms imports grew by 66pc in 2021–25 compared with 2016–20, with its main ally China supplying 80pc of the weapons, a Stockholm-based think tank said. China’s role as Pakistan’s top arms provider increased from 73pc in the previous 2016-20 period, the new report…