Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly criticized Pakistan’s senior bureaucracy, alleging that a large number of officials are buying properties in Portugal with the intention of eventually settling there. In a statement on X, the minister claimed that more than half of the bureaucracy is discreetly investing in Portugal and preparing to obtain citizenship.
He accused them of planning a comfortable retirement with money acquired through corrupt practices. He also alleged that one bureaucrat, known for his close ties to former chief minister Usman Buzdar, received a staggering 4 billion rupees in wedding gifts, or ‘salami,’ at his daughter’s wedding alone.
In contrast, the defence minister stated that politicians are treated unfairly. “Politicians only get what’s left over by them (bureaucrats) and still get blamed for everything,” he said. He added that most politicians do not own plots or foreign citizenship because they must face the public and compete in elections. Calling the bureaucrats’ actions shameful, Asif concluded, “This bureaucracy is polluting our land.”
