Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has publicly condemned Pakistan’s senior bureaucracy, alleging widespread corruption and plans to settle abroad. In a social media post, he claimed that a significant number of officials are purchasing real estate in Portugal to obtain residency or citizenship. He accused them of siphoning public wealth to secure luxurious retirements overseas while leaving the country’s economy in crisis.
Asif made explosive allegations, stating that one bureaucrat with ties to former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar received Rs4 billion in cash gifts (Salami) at his daughter’s wedding. This revelation highlights the vast sums allegedly exchanged among powerful officials, raising questions about unchecked corruption within the system.
The minister contrasted the treatment of politicians and bureaucrats, arguing that politicians bear public blame while bureaucrats operate with impunity. “Politicians get the leftovers, yet they are the ones held accountable,” he said. He pointed out that most politicians do not own foreign properties or citizenship because they must face voters in elections, unlike bureaucrats who evade public scrutiny.
Calling the actions of these officials “shameful,” Asif warned that such practices are damaging the nation. “This bureaucracy is polluting our land,” he declared. His statements have sparked debate over whether this bold exposure will lead to investigations or remain another unaddressed scandal in Pakistan’s governance system.