Pakistan Bureaucrats Accused of Portugal Exit Plan
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged that over half of the country’s top bureaucrats are preparing to relocate abroad by securing foreign residencies through property investments in Portugal. His comments, made via a social media post, have triggered significant public backlash and reignited concerns over corruption and capital flight from the nation’s elite.
Gifts Worth Billions Allegedly Exchanged
Asif claimed that one bureaucrat, closely associated with former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar, received gifts worth Rs 4 billion during his daughter’s wedding. Referring to such exchanges as “salami,” the minister painted a picture of unchecked privilege among Pakistan’s powerful civil servants. He stated, “This bureaucracy is polluting our land,” accusing them of hiding behind the political class while escaping accountability.
Bureaucracy vs Politicians
Drawing a contrast between politicians and civil servants, Asif said elected leaders often bear public scrutiny while bureaucrats quietly benefit. “Politicians only get the leftovers, and they are bound to go back to the people every five years. But the bureaucracy continues to thrive silently,” he wrote, indicating a deep-rooted imbalance in accountability within the state machinery.
No Formal Inquiry Announced
Asif’s claims have stirred debate, but as of now, no official investigation has been announced. Critics have questioned why, despite having access to such information, the Defence Minister has not taken legal action. The lack of documented evidence so far leaves room for speculation, though the allegations have reignited calls for reform within the bureaucracy.
Wider Implications for Pakistan
These revelations come at a time when Pakistan remains under the global financial microscope due to its grey-list history with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The idea that senior government officials could be planning their exit while the country faces economic hardship has amplified public outrage. Many believe these claims reflect a deeper crisis of governance and eroding public trust in institutions that are meant to serve the nation.
