Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged that more than half of Pakistan’s bureaucrats have purchased property in Portugal and are also preparing to obtain European citizenship’.

On social media platform X, Khawaja Asif allegedly stated in his tweet that many of the “eminent” bureaucrats among them have retired after corruption worth billions of rupees and are now living a peaceful life.

He further revealed that a bureaucrat close to former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar collected Rs4 billion as “salami” only at the wedding of his daughters and is now living a retired life without any kind of accountability.

In defence of politicians, Asif said that unlike bureaucrats elected officials do not enjoy the luxury of dual citizenship or quit retirement overseas, as they must face the public and take part in elections. He claimed that the real corruption lies in the ranks of bureaucracy and elite, who are ‘defiling the holy land’.

The Defense Minister claimed that a “workman” is playing a central role in the investment and citizenship of these bureaucrats in Portugal. According to Asif, he is preparing shelters for bureaucrats in Portugal.

Journalist Afzal Sial, while supporting Khawaja Asif’s statement, claimed that the said person is an influential builder who also has a large office in Lahore’s Gulberg.

According to Afzal Sial, the bureaucracy invests in Portugal through this person and is obtaining EU citizenship, which gives them the facilities of free business, residence and travel in 29 European countries.

On the other hand, users on social media have strongly criticised Khawaja Asif’s statement.

Another commentor Sajid Khan, wrote, “Khawaja Sahib, you are probably forgetting that you are a federal minister. Your job is to make laws to stop the wrongdoers and punish them. You are not a journalist who just tells the public and gets out of here.”

Another user, Raja Yasir, raised the question, “Khawaja Sahib is the only Muslim defense minister of a nuclear power. He holds a strong position in the government, and yet why is he so helpless?”

Even supporters of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (N) expressed concern. A user named Abid urged the minister to implement reforms and accountability measures instead of merely making public accusations. “Change the system. Turn eight-kanal houses into ten-marla ones. That’s how real change will happen,” he posted.

The matter is being hotly debated on social media and there is growing concern in public circles that if the country’s top bureaucracy is making plans to leave the country, how will the trust of ordinary citizens be restored?

No action or announcement of an investigation has been made by the government on this revelation.