Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly denied rumours circulating on social media that he resigned from his position following the arrest of Sialkot’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) by anti-corruption authorities. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Asif dismissed the reports as false, stating they were based on personal wishes rather than facts. The speculation emerged after a journalist, Zubair Ali Khan, claimed the minister had stepped down, a narrative Asif has firmly refuted.
Zubair Ali Khan alleged that Asif had sent a resignation letter to PM Shehbaz Sharif’s adviser, Dr. Tauqeer Shah, demanding the ADCR’s release. He further claimed the arrested officer, who served as a returning officer in the 2024 elections, was held over financial irregularities. Additionally, Zubair stated that Asif met PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif in Murree, where he was advised to withdraw his resignation. However, Asif has denied all such claims, including reports of going “incommunicado.”
The rumours surfaced shortly after Asif publicly criticized Pakistan’s senior bureaucracy, accusing many officials of buying properties in Portugal to secure foreign residency. He alleged that over half of the bureaucracy is quietly investing in Portugal, with one bureaucrat reportedly receiving Rs4 billion in “Salami” (cash gifts) at his daughter’s wedding. Asif also named an individual, “Virk,” as a key facilitator in helping elites settle abroad.
Despite the swirling rumours, Khawaja Asif remains steadfast in his role, rejecting any claims of resignation or disappearance. His recent statements against bureaucratic corruption have intensified political discourse, with the minister vowing to continue exposing malpractices. The government has yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but Asif’s denial has quelled immediate speculation about his resignation.