ISLAMABAD: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) convened on Tuesday to address recent claims by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif regarding Pakistani bureaucrats purchasing property in Portugal.
PAC Chairman Junaid Akbar stated that the committee would summon officials from the Ministry of Interior, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and other relevant authorities in the next session to investigate the matter. “We will review complete records to identify which bureaucrats have acquired overseas plots,” Akbar added.
Khawaja Asif’s Allegations
The defence minister recently alleged that a significant portion of Pakistan’s senior bureaucracy had invested in Portuguese property and was preparing to obtain foreign citizenship. He raised concerns over the loyalty and dedication of such officials to Pakistan, describing their actions as evidence of systemic corruption and unchecked privilege.
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Asif, posting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), specifically named high-ranking bureaucrats, claiming some had amassed substantial wealth during their careers. He highlighted one aide to former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, who reportedly received up to Rs4 billion in salaami—a traditional wedding gift—at a family event. According to Asif, the official faced no scrutiny and is now enjoying a comfortable retirement.
The minister further contended that politicians are held to higher accountability than bureaucrats, who can acquire foreign assets and dual citizenship without the constraints faced by elected officials tied to the electoral process.