*Title: Khawaja Asif Sparks Controversy with Claims on Bureaucracy’sForeign Assets**Subtitle: Defence Minister alleges over half of Pakistan’s bureaucracyowns property in Portugal; government bodies reject claims*
*Islamabad – August 7, 2025:*A political storm has erupted in Islamabad after Federal Defence MinisterKhawaja Muhammad Asif claimed that more than half of Pakistan’s civilbureaucracy has acquired property in Portugal and is actively pursuingforeign citizenship. The remarks, posted from his official X (formerlyTwitter) account, have drawn sharp criticism from senior officials andinstitutions, including the Establishment Division and the NationalAccountability Bureau (NAB).
In his post, Asif alleged that “more than half of Pakistan’s bureaucracyhas already bought property in Portugal and is preparing for citizenship.”He further accused senior bureaucrats—whom he described as “famouscrocodiles”—of looting billions of rupees and living comfortably afterretirement.
Asif also singled out a top bureaucrat allegedly close to former PunjabChief Minister Usman Buzdar, claiming he collected nearly Rs. 4 billion aswedding gifts for his daughters. “Politicians only survive on what littleis left behind by these bureaucrats,” Asif wrote. “They don’t even haveplots or foreign citizenship because they have to contest elections. It isthis bureaucracy that is polluting the land of Pakistan.”
*Government Institutions Reject Allegations*
Responding to the explosive claims, senior officials from the EstablishmentDivision and NAB categorically denied any knowledge or evidence to supportAsif’s assertions.
A senior official from the Establishment Division stated:“We have no record or intelligence reports suggesting that more than halfof Pakistan’s bureaucracy has purchased property in Portugal or is seekingforeign citizenship.”
An NAB source echoed the statement, confirming:“We have no information or ongoing investigations that align with theDefence Minister’s allegations.”
*Widespread Backlash Among Bureaucracy*
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The Defence Minister’s remarks have sparked significant unrest within thecivil services. Senior bureaucrats expressed concern that such unverifiedand sweeping statements damage morale and send a dangerous message topublic servants.
One top civil servant commented:“Accusations of this magnitude, made without evidence, create unnecessarydistrust and undermine the integrity of government institutions.”
Officials also noted that the bureaucrat vaguely referred to in connectionwith Usman Buzdar had already been dismissed from service following aformal inquiry and disciplinary action, with the Prime Minister’s approval.
*Call for Evidence-Based Accountability*
While insiders acknowledge that elements of corruption exist within thebureaucracy, they argue it is unfair to paint the entire service with thesame brush.
A senior bureaucrat emphasized:“Accountability must be based on evidence through proper institutions likeNAB and the Establishment Division. If the Defence Minister possessedcredible proof, he should have submitted it to the relevant authoritiesinstead of making such sweeping statements on social media.”
The controversy continues to fuel debate about transparency,accountability, and the use of social platforms by public officials forairing unverified allegations. As of now, no formal inquiry into Asif’sclaims has been announced.